SA vs AUS: Temba Bavuma ruled out of 4th ODI, Anrich Nortje ruled out of remainder of ODI series

Temba Bavuma will not play in the 4th ODI against Australia on 15th September.

South Africa landed a double injury blow ahead of the rest of the ODI matches against Australia, as captain Temba Bavuma will miss the upcoming 4th ODI while pacer Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the remainder of the series.

This is a huge setback for South Africa, just a month away from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, as both players are very important for the Proteas in the upcoming tournament.

As per Cricket South Africa's statement, Temba Bavuma will miss the fourth ODI on Friday in Centurion. Bavuma has a right adductor strain, and his unavailability is more of a "precautionary measure".

Bavuma is South Africa's leading run-getter so far this series, having scored 57, 46, and an unbeaten 114 in the first three games. Overall, his tally of 217 is second only to Marnus Labuschagne's 219.

'Temba Bavuma is unavailable,' says Cricket South Africa

"ODI captain Temba Bavuma is unavailable for selection for the fourth ODI at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on Friday. Bavuma has a right adductor strain, and as a precautionary measure, he has been ruled out of the match," a CSA statement said.

The absence of Bavuma for the fourth ODI is considered less serious, with the Proteas revealing the issue troubling their skipper was only minor.

Aiden Markram will captain the under-pressure South African side that is trailing the five-match ODI series 2-1 after having already lost the T20Is 3-0.

Anrich Nortje’s back injury intensifies ruling him out rest of the matches in the series

On the other hand, Anrich Nortje had already missed the third ODI in Potchefstroom earlier this week with back spasms. He played just the second ODI in Bloemfontein, where Australia amassed 392 for 8 and Nortje leaked 58 runs in five wicket-less overs.

Even though the Nortje news is not ideal for South Africa just weeks before their World Cup opener against Sri Lanka in Delhi on October 7, the Proteas anticipate the tall fast bowler to start bowling again over the weekend.

"Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the remaining two matches of the One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia due to a lower back injury. The 29-year-old underwent scans and consulted with a specialist this week and will start bowling again this weekend under the supervision of the Proteas medical team. A further update will be provided in due course," the CSA statement stated.

The 4th ODI between South Africa and Australia will be played in Centurion on September 15, 2023.