Proteas chooses to bat against Bangladesh as Bavuma misses out

Proteas player, Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bat against Bangladesh in a World Cup match in Mumbai on Tuesday as regular captain Temba Bavuma remained sidelined through illness.

A Proteas spokeswoman said Bavuma had not fully recovered from the stomach problem that forced him out shortly before South Africa’s crushing 229-run win over England in Mumbai on Saturday.

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PROTEAS TO BAT FIRST

Bavuma’s continued absence meant Reeza Hendricks retained his place after responding to a late call-up with a fine 85 against the world champions.

South Africa made one change after paceman Lungi Ngidi, ruled out with a knee injury, was replaced by Lizaad Wiliams — making a World Cup debut in just his second one-day international.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, however, was passed fit following a thigh injury, with the star all-rounder replacing Towhid Hridoy in the only change to a Tigers team defeated by table-toppers India last time out.

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Markram’s decision to bat first in the heat of the day was understandable given how England had struggled in the energy-sapping conditions, with South Africa century-maker Heinrich Klaasen saying it felt like he was “batting in a sauna”.

Victory over England saw South Africa, who’ve won three of their four matches, get their World Cup campaign back on track after a shock loss to the Netherlands — a non-Test side.

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Bangladesh, by contrast, have lost three of their four matches and another reverse could end their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

But they go into this game having won three of their last four one-day internationals against South Africa.

TEAMS

Bangladesh: Liton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wkt), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (capt), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Lizaad Williams

Umpires: Ashsan Raza (PAK) and Joel Wilson (WIS)

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TV Umpire: Paul Wilson (AUS)

Match Referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)