South Africa batsman Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the first Test against England with a Grade 1 hip flexor muscle strain, reports Cricbuzz.
A decision on his replacement will be taken after the South Africa A and CSA Franchise Four-Day matches over the weekend, Cricket South Africa confirmed.
Bavuma will remain a part of the squad that welcomes England for four Tests, with the goal of recovering and returning to action within seven to 10 days.
"Temba Bavuma presented with clinical features of a left hip flexor strain. A scan done yesterday confirmed a Grade 1 strain of one of the hip flexor muscles," CSA
Chief Medical Officer - Dr Shuaib Manjra - said. "Temba will commence his rehabilitation program with a goal of returning to play in 7 to 10
days' time." Bavuma's absence further deprives the hosts of experience in a squad that features as many as six uncapped players. As such, it could open the door for a debut for Rassie van der Dussen.The first of the four Tests against England gets underway at Centurion on Boxing Day (December 26).
