Temba Bavuma to miss World Cup warm-up games due to family reasons

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma will miss both the warm-up games ahead of the World Cup - against Afghanistan (September 29) and New Zealand (October 2) in Thiruvananthapuram. According to a post on X, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said he has returned home due to family reasons.

🟢#CWC23 TEAM UPDATE 🟡

🏏Proteas ODI Captain Temba Bavuma will travel back home due to family reasons

Bavuma misses 2️⃣ #CWC23 warm-up matches

🆚️Afghanistan 🇦🇫
🆚️New Zealand 🇳🇿

Markram will captain in his absence #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/iC3PwcSPrY

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 28, 2023

However, he is expected to be back in time for their opening game of the mega event against Sri Lanka in Delhi on October 7. In his absence, Aiden Markram will lead the side in the warm-ups, and Reeza Hendricks could partner Quinton de Kock at the top.

South Africa suffered a double blow earlier when fast bowlers Anrich Nortje (back stress fracture) and Sisanda Magala (knee injury) were ruled out of the tournament due to injuries. They were replaced by Andile Phehlukwayo and Lizaad Williams as a result.

Bavuma suffered a hamstring injury after his unbeaten 114 against Australia but was fit enough to play the next two games. He was rested for the fourth ODI as a precaution after suffering a muscle strain on his inner thigh. But he returned for the final match of the series in Johannesburg, where he was dismissed for a duck.

South Africa enter the tournament in a bid to win their maiden title. They have finished as semi-finalists on four occasions, most recently in the 2015 edition jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.