Temba Bavuma: Dropping Keshav Maharaj 'one of the tougher decisions'

Maharaj has been the Proteas number one slow-bowler for the better part of the last decade, but Simon Harmer has been preferred as the sole specialist spinner for final two Test matches against Australia.

The 37-year-old Maharaj has taken 220 wickets in 63 Test matches, and Bavuma says the left-arm bowler has been "one of my confidants within the team" since he became Test skipper.

Maharaj played in the opening Test of the three-match series in Durban, but was largely ineffective with figures of 0-75 and 2-56 as Australia took the victory spoils at Kingsmead.

He was then discarded for the second Test in Gqeberha with the Proteas winning to level the series, and the hosts have only made one enforced change for the series decider at Newlands with fast bowler Gerald Coetzee replacing the injured Anrich Nortje.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Bavuma said: "Yeah, I think it's one of the tougher decisions to be a part of. I mean Kesh has been a stalwart for us and he has won many games for us.

"I think he understands the cricketing reason behind it. Australia have a plural of left-handers in their top six, top seven, so a guy like Simon turning it away from them becomes a real threat.

"Kesh is a team man. He is one of my confidants within the team, so he will and has been valuable to the team, pouring to the guys and offering a helping hand tactically as well.

"But yeah, that's one of the tougher decisions I've had to be a part of."

Bavuma is expecting a good pitch at Newlands, with the weather also set to be sunny for all five days of the Test, although Cape Town does not often host a Test match this early in the South African summer.

The Proteas skipper added: "We've played a lot of first-class cricket here (at this time of year), but the way they prepare the first-class wickets versus the Test wickets is obviously quite different.

"Just in terms of embracing everything that comes with the Newlands ground, that's something that all of us are always kind of in awe of. The wicket generally is a good wicket.

"The batters will be smiling if they're able to get themselves in. Fortunately, weather doesn't seem to be a part of the conversation. We're up for an exciting five days of cricket." 

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