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Bavuma set to make ODI debut opening the batting for the Proteas

Temba Bavuma and Vernon Philander of the Proteas during day 3 of the 2nd Sunfoil International Test match between South Africa and New Zealand at SuperSport Park on August 29, 2016 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)
Temba Bavuma and Vernon Philander of the Proteas during day 3 of the 2nd Sunfoil International Test match between South Africa and New Zealand at SuperSport Park on August 29, 2016 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

With no AB de Villiers and no Hashim Amla‚ Temba Bavuma is set to make his One Day International debut opening the batting for the Proteas against Ireland on Sunday.

Veteran Amla was not included in the squad that will take on Ireland and Australia in a triangular contest as he awaits the birth of his third child next week.

The 33-year-old Amla‚ who opens the batting in the ODI format‚ is only expected to join the Proteas squad later next week ahead of the five-match ODI series against the Aussies that follows the triangular series that includes the Irish.

The Proteas camp also received news that they will have to do without captain De Villiers in their opening match against Ireland in Benoni on Sunday after the hard-hitting batsman sustained an elbow injury.

“AB will unfortunately miss the Ireland game‚” Proteas team doctor Mohammed Moosajee confirmed on Thursday.

Moosajee explained: “About six weeks ago he was diagnosed with a left elbow injury. At the time the recommendation was specifically to have a period of rest‚ physiotherapy and aggressive rehabilitation.

“He has subsequently seen an elbow specialist and he has what we commonly call an impingement syndrome – so what happens is that when he places a certain cricket shot he gets excruciating pain in that elbow.

“We have given him an extended period of rest‚ which is another week. He will be re-assessed on Tuesday‚ and thereafter a call will be made.

"He will need to pass a fitness test. That elbow will need to withstand the rigours of international cricket‚ only then will a decision be made.”

Should De Villiers not pass the fitness test next week and undergo surgery‚ not only does he stand a chance of missing out on taking part in the ODI series against Australia‚ but will also not play in the test series against the Aussies that will be played Down Under in November.

“If he does not come through the fitness test‚ then a date for surgery will be set.

"If he does go for surgery then we are looking at another period of six to eight weeks of rest.

"But we don’t want to pre-empt that‚ we want to give him every opportunity to recover from that and hopefully play a part in the upcoming Australian series.

"If he has surgery then he will be out of the test series‚” said Moosajee.

While De Villiers’ injury is cause for concern for coach Russel Domingo‚ the Proteas head honcho is confident that there are players who can do an equally good job with the bat in his side.

Domingo also confirmed that Bavuma will open the batting for the side against Ireland‚ possibly sharing the opening partnership with former provincial teammate Quinton de Kock.

“He (Bavuma) will open the batting on Sunday‚” Domingo said.

“Look‚ I think Temba has some really good attributes of an opener.

"He is really good in terms of his technique‚ he is a guy who can bat for periods of time‚ he can hit the bad ball for four.

"At this stage of his ODI career he is maybe not suited to come in at No5 or No6‚ trying to hit fours and sixes at the back of an innings.

“I think this allows him a nice start to his One Day International cricket‚ then he can play normally. If he hits a nice cricket shot in the fist four overs it can go for four‚ whereas if he hits a nice shot in the last 10 overs it might only go for one. It’s a nice spot for him to find a niche for One-Day cricket.

“I’m very excited to see what he can offer. He’s had a really good start to his test career‚ hopefully he can add something different to our ODI batting as well.

"He is obviously not an easy guy to bowl to because of his stature‚ so he might just give us a good score up front.” - TMG Digital

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