Injured Temba Bavuma will not receive preferential treatment because he is the team captain, according to Proteas coach Rob Walters.
The 33-year-old batsman hopes to be fit for the 2023 World Cup semi-final against Australia in Kolkata on Thursday after straining his right hamstring against Afghanistan on Friday.
“No one is bigger than the team at the end of the day. That applies to Temba and everyone else,” said Walter after a practice session in the Indian city.
“Being captain will not give Bavuma extra protection if the injury does not heal sufficiently and inhibits his play.”
Bavuma took part in a floodlit training session at Eden Gardens on Tuesday and did not show any signs of discomfort.
However, Walter warned that there are still hurdles the skipper must clear before he can lead South Africa into a match that will decide who faces India or New Zealand in the final.
“We still need to check him out in the high-speed zones, as we progress from when the injury happened to the rehabilitation that has taken place during the past 72 hours.
“Each day brings some new elements to test before deciding whether he is ready and match fit to play in the semi-final. The progression has been positive, which is awesome.”
Walter said he is not overly concerned about the modest current form of Bavuma, who has scored 145 runs in seven innings at an average of 20.71 at the global showcase.
One of Proteas’ best batters in 2023
Said Walter: “Temba has not scored the runs he would have wanted to at the World Cup. However, when I watch him train and play, I sense a big score is just around the corner.
“We are not part of the conversation about Temba being dropped. He is one of our best batters this year.
“That said, he can be dropped, like any other member of the squad. No one is bigger than the team. Hopefully we will be able make a call on Temba before Thursday.
“In an ideal world, you do not want to wait that long, but I need to give him the best chance to play for his country.”
If Bavuma is ruled out of the showdown with Australia, his place will be taken by Reeza Hendricks, a right-handed batsman.
The Proteas believe that the Kolkata pitch will take spin and may bring in left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi at the expense of Lungi Ngidi or Gerald Coetzee.
Current form favours South Africa after a 134-run victory over Australia in the league stage, but all four previous semi-final appearances by the Proteas have ended in disappointment.
Two of those exits, in 1999 and 2007, were against Australia.
Rain is forecast for Kolkata on Thursday and Friday, the reserve day, and if both days are washed out, South Africa will progress to the final on net run rate. – SACricketmag.co.za
