South Africa captain Temba Bavuma cannot play against Zimbabwe because of a hurt hamstring muscle. Keshav Maharaj will lead the team instead when the first Test match starts Saturday at Queens Sports Club. Bavuma damaged his leg during the World Test Championship final against Australia last week. The 34-year-old batsman kept playing through the pain and made 66 runs before South Africa won the match. Doctors told him to stop batting but he refused to give up.
Bavuma keeps getting hurt with the same hamstring problem three times in two years. He also had fitness troubles during the 2023 World Cup and other important games. His left elbow bothers him and he wears heavy tape on his arm when batting. The captain wants to keep playing until South Africa hosts the 2027 World Cup if his body allows it. He might return for matches against Australia and England later this year.
Zimbabwe players practiced at Queens Sports Club yesterday after arriving Friday. The South African team flies into Bulawayo airport on Tuesday for their first visit in eight years. These countries last played Test cricket against each other back in 2017 when the match ended after just two days. South Africa has beaten Zimbabwe eight times with one draw from nine Test matches. Zimbabwe still searches for their first victory against their neighbors from the south.
Bavuma keeps getting hurt with the same hamstring problem three times in two years. He also had fitness troubles during the 2023 World Cup and other important games. His left elbow bothers him and he wears heavy tape on his arm when batting. The captain wants to keep playing until South Africa hosts the 2027 World Cup if his body allows it. He might return for matches against Australia and England later this year.
Zimbabwe players practiced at Queens Sports Club yesterday after arriving Friday. The South African team flies into Bulawayo airport on Tuesday for their first visit in eight years. These countries last played Test cricket against each other back in 2017 when the match ended after just two days. South Africa has beaten Zimbabwe eight times with one draw from nine Test matches. Zimbabwe still searches for their first victory against their neighbors from the south.
