Temba Bavuma says Proteas will be ready for Australia

Bavuma is one of the senior players rested by coach Shukri Conrad for the ongoing tri-series against Namibia and Zimbabwe, with an eye on the busy summer ahead.

He says he’s had enough time to rest and will use the first round of the four-day series with the Lions next week to sharpen up for the big international clashes.

"Next week we have our first four-day game as the Lions and I will be taking part in that and then on the 19th we get together for the Australia ODI series. From a physical point of view all is good on my side,” Bavuma said. 

“From a mental point of view I've been on a very, very long break, I'm just really looking forward to get going with the guys.”

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While Bavuma admitted that it’s a concern that the Test team in particular has not been together since late last year, he says they will not be making any excuses when they face the Baggy Greens in the highly anticipated series.

He says the domestic red ball series will go a long way in getting the players ready for that.

"Look, I mean it's no fault of any of those players to find themselves in the test team. We don't put the schedule together so we just deal with what's in front of us, yes that is a possible threat or challenge and we'll have to do as much as we can as a team to make sure that we are test match ready,” he added. 

“I'm sure a lot of those guys you'll be seeing within an ODI series or they'll be an opportunity for batters to gain some confidence out in the middle and for bowlers as well to get overs under the belt. 

“The first round of four day games becomes important for the guys to make sure that they get themselves as close to match fit as ready but it's not the fault of any of those guys within the team. 

“We're not gonna hear it from anyone within the team where that becomes a reason or excuse for anything that happens. Whatever happens from the first ODI against Australia, we'll deal with it with them as players but as true South Africans we show our resilience and we do what we need to do."