Temba Bavuma admits to bowling crisis as Proteas injury list grows

The latest news from camp this morning was that Kwena Maphaka has also been ruled out of the three matches with a hamstring injury, adding to other fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Ottneil Baartman already nursing the same issue.

Bavuma says the loss of those key players makes the task ahead all the more challenging, but backed those still in the team to rise to the occasion. 

"Yeah, it does make it a little bit more challenging. I think obviously you want your best players at your disposal all the time, as realistic or unrealistic as that may be. We are working tirelessly to kind of identify and define the problems that we have," said Bavuma

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"It is concerning. I don't think we'd shy away from that, but we are working together to see where is it that we can be a lot better in terms of managing the players. In saying that, it's a wonderful opportunity for the individuals who will have to step up. A guy like Lizaad coming into the squad for Kwena. Yeah, we're expecting those guys to step up and fill the shoes."

He says South Africa has traditionally relied heavily on seam bowling on home conditions, which makes this a massive blow to their plans against the Aussies.

Defabet Boland paceman Lizaad Williams has been named as Maphaka’s replacement, having joined the squad today.

The skipper says there’s enough pressure when facing a big side like Australia, without putting pressure on themselves as batters to put up a big score to try and protect their bowling unit.

With the first match taking place at Kingsmead in Durban, Bavuma says it feels good to be around the team again after a long break from international cricket this year.