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South Africa have announced significant changes to their team ahead of the crucial fourth ODI against Australia, which is a do-or-die clash for the Proteas. The announcement comes on the heels of a couple of injury setbacks that have disrupted South Africa’s campaign.
Injury woes for the Proteas
South Africa’s frontline pace bowler, Anrich Nortje, has been ruled out of the series entirely due to a lower back injury. Nortje had already missed the third ODI of the series due to lower back spasms, and the decision to sideline him for the remainder of the series was made in light of his ongoing fitness concerns.
Additionally, the Proteas’ regular ODI captain, Temba Bavuma, will be absent from the fourth ODI due to a right adductor strain. Bavuma’s absence further compounds South Africa’s woes, as he has been a key performer for the team in recent matches.
Aiden Markram takes the helm
The official South Africa Cricket Twitter handle, @ProteasMenCSA, confirmed the injuries, stating, “Fast bowler Anrich Nortje (lower back injury) is ruled out of the remaining 2 matches of the #Betway ODI series against Australia. ODI captain Temba Bavuma (adductor strain) is unavailable for the 4th ODI. Aiden Markram will lead the side.”
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In the absence of Bavuma, Aiden Markram has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the South African side for the crucial fourth ODI. Markram, who serves as the full-time T20I captain for South Africa, has previous experience captaining the team in the 50-over format. He has led the team in six matches, winning two and losing four of them.
🟢 PROTEAS SQUAD UPDATE 🟡
Fast bowler Anrich Nortje (lower back injury) is ruled out of the remaining 2 matches of the #Betway ODI series against Australia
ODI captain Temba Bavuma (adductor strain) is unavailable for the 4th ODI
Aiden Markram will lead the side #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/qnlngnmCQl
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 15, 2023
Nortje and Bavuma’s impact
Nortje’s injury woes began during South Africa’s heavy 123-run defeat against Australia in the second ODI. The right-arm pacer only bowled five overs, conceding 58 runs, before leaving the field. Although he did return to feature with the bat, he was subsequently ruled out of contention for the third ODI and sent to Johannesburg for scans.
Bavuma, on the other hand, had been a standout performer with both bat and captaincy. He scored a fifty in South Africa’s commanding 111-run win in the third ODI and also smashed a brilliant century in the series opener.
The way forward
In Nortje’s absence, the South African team had recalled Gerald Coetzee into their playing XI. With Bavuma unavailable for the fourth ODI, South Africa are likely to promote Reeza Hendricks to the top of the order and potentially bring Rassie van der Dussen back into the playing XI.
With Australia currently leading the 5-match series 2-1 under the temporary captaincy of Mitchell Marsh due to Pat Cummins‘ unavailability for the ODIs, the Proteas will be eager to bounce back and level the series in the upcoming encounter.
