Why is Temba Bavuma not playing 20th match of World Cup 2023?

Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of South Africa's key 2023 World Cup match against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, dealing the team a setback.

Aiden Markram must assume the leadership as the right-handed hitter is forced to sit out the game owing to sickness. Bavuma has been replaced by Reeza Hendricks in the starting lineup.

Why is Temba Bavuma not playing?

In the first three games of the competition, Bavuma has struggled, with scores of 8, 35, and 11 against Sri Lanka, Australia, and the Netherlands, respectively.

Fans would expect for stronger backing for Quinton de Kock, who started the competition with successive centuries since Hendricks has a power game.

Temba Bavuma ruled out against England due to illness. pic.twitter.com/hKWoYZA7Up

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 21, 2023

Beginning the competition with two convincing victories, the Proteas recorded their highest World Cup total of 428 against Sri Lanka in Delhi. They defeated them by 102 runs before thrashing Australia in Lucknow by 134 runs. However, they were shockingly defeated by the Netherlands in Dharamshala after the Dutch scored 245 in a 43-over match that was hampered by rain.

Despite the best efforts of players like David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen, the Netherlands won by a famous 38 runs. Since the Proteas are trying to rescue their campaign, the match against England is crucial.

"Another tick off my list as a cricketer"

The opener expressed excitement about playing at the Wankhede Stadium during the press conference on Friday because of its associations with Sachin Tendulkar. As reported by iol.com.za, he had said:

"I think for me, growing up, idolizing a guy like Sachin Tendulkar, the Wankhede was a stadium you always heard about. So, to have that opportunity to be playing, that's another tick off my list as a cricketer."

In Mumbai, England has won the toss and chosen to bowl first. Three changes have been made, including the addition of Ben Stokes.

SQUAD

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada

England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (captain/wicketkeeper), Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley

Also Read: World Cup 2023: India defeats Bangladesh by 7 wickets

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