Proteas news: Temba Bavuma faces late fitness test on injured hip

Proteas batsman Temba Bavuma is an injury doubt for the first Test against the West Indies starting in St Lucia on Thursday, 10 June.

The first ball is due to be delivered at 16:00 SA time.

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Bavuma is carrying an injury to his left hip and will have to pass a late fitness test in the final training session before the toss if he wants to take his place in the Proteas batting order.

Proteas Test captain Dean Elgar gave an update on Bavuma’s fitness in the pre-match press-conference on Wednesday: “It is a bit of a concern for us – yesterday [Tuesday] was a big day for him to push his body.

“Today [Wednesday] is still a day for him go out and prove his fitness. It was a bit of a concern a couple of days ago but again I am not a doctor or physio.

“They obviously have to do their respective jobs with regards to proving Temba’s fitness.”

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If Bavuma is ruled out it could be an opportunity for Kyle Verreynne to make his debut in Test cricket with the Cape Cobras player waiting in the wings.

Keegan Peterson is already primed to make his Test bow in place of the retired Faf du Plessis and Bavuma’s absence could mean two debutants in the top six for the Proteas.

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Elgar continued: “Obviously if he (Bavuma) is fit‚ he will slot in at that No 5 position because I think he is accustomed to that by now and he wants to fit into the batting line-up in that spot.

“But if he is not fit‚ I don’t think there is any other option really because all our backup batters haven’t played yet.

“That questions speaks or answers itself. There is a possibility where we will have two guys making their debuts if Temba is not fit.

“Those are the cards that we are dealt – the guys have prepared and maybe is not a bad thing having younger guys come in because they seem to be very hungry at the moment.

“A guy like Kyle has been sitting on the side for a very long time in Proteas clothing and I am pretty sure he is chomping at it the bit to have his opportunity if Temba is not fit.”