South Africa faced a big setback before their last group-stage match against England in the Champions Trophy. Captain Temba Bavuma is unavailable for the game, and Aiden Markram will be leading the team instead.
Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi Miss Out Due to Illness
Temba Bavuma is an important player in South Africa’s batting order and also the team’s captain. He will be replaced by the skilled batter Tristan Stubbs in the playing XI.
Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the match due to illness and will be replaced by Tristan Stubbs, who will open the batting. Stubbs is a top-quality player but hasn’t had a chance to play in this tournament yet, as South Africa has a strong batting line-up.
In addition to Bavuma, opener Tony de Zorzi is also unwell and won’t be playing. Wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen will take his place after recovering from an elbow injury that kept him out of the first match against Afghanistan.
What did the captains say at the toss?
Jos Buttler (England):
“We are gonna bat first today, looks like a decent wicket, a few cracks there. I felt like it was time, so I didn’t want to take more time to take that decision. It was an easy decision and I will do it for one last time, hopefully we can do well. A bit of sadness as well, it’s an honour to captain your country, it’s something you dream about and I have had some good moments along the way. Saqib Mahmood comes in, he is a good new-ball bowler and it’s exciting to have him.”
Aiden Markram (South Africa):
“We are actually happy to chase, haven’t chased in this comp yet, we are looking forward to have a good game against a strong English side. Two guys have had illness around the camp, Tony and Temba miss out. Unfortunate that they miss out but hopefully they will recover. Our last game got rained out, we had a few training sessions, we are ready for this game.”
ENG vs SA Playing XIs:
England:
Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith(w), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood
South Africa:
Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
England vs South Africa Squads
England: Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Rehan Ahmed, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.
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