As South Africa are all set to take on Australia in the second semi-finals of World Cup 2023, clouds are hovering over Temba Bavuma’s availability for the big game. The Proteas skipper, who picked up a hamstring injury in the side’s last league match vs Afghanistan, has only shown ‘some improvement overnight’. SA could be in big trouble if Bavuma cannot make it to the side’s playing XI in time for the World Cup semis.
The South African skipper had already missed a couple of matches earlier in the League stage due to an illness. The second World Cup 2023 semi-finals (SA vs AUS) will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 16 at 2 PM. Let’s take a look at South Africa’s probable playing XI ahead of the mouth-watering SA vs AUS semi-final contest.
South Africa’s playing XI for SA vs AUS WC semis
The Proteas have been consistent on the field, with both bat and the ball, throughout their World Cup 2023 campaign. With contribution coming evenly from all parts of the squad, SA will eye to break their jinx in the semi-finals and make it to the finals of the marquee tournament.
Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klassen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen and Andile Phehlukwayo are stars who will play an important role with the bat for the side.
In the bowling department, South Africa are staring at another possible injury in the form of Ngidi. Jansen and Rabada have been good throughout the tournament, having taken wickets at regular intervals. Spinner Keshav Maharaj has, however, made heads turn with his ability with the ball and is most likely to feature in the playing XI for SA vs AUS.
South Africa playing XI
- Temba Bavuma* / Reeza Hendricks
- Quinton de Kock
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Aiden Markram (c)
- David Miller
- Heinrich Klassen
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Tabraiz Shamsi
- Kagiso Rabada
- Gerald Coetzee
*Bavuma’s availability is subject to his fitness in time for the game.
Australia Squad for WC: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
South Africa Squad for WC: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.