Proteas captain Temba Bavuma is preventing the current epidemic of hamstring injuries from undermining the team's morale ahead of the long-awaited Test series against Australia, which begins next week in Durban.
On Wednesday evening, top batsman Tony de Zorzi joined the injured list after sustaining a left hamstring strain during an Australian match. The 29-year-old player left the field to be replaced by all-rounder Duane Jansen and could not participate in Proteas' run for points.
De Zorzi had previously missed this year's T20 World Cup due to a slow-healing right hamstring tear. Furthermore, the Proteas team has already lost fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Lungie Ngidi, Ottniel Bartman, and Kwena Maphaka, who have suffered hamstring injuries in the last month.
Bavuma could not confirm whether De Zorzi would miss the upcoming Test series. Although the probability is high, he is convinced that Proteas will 'find a way' to handle the situation, as they always have in the past.
After Proteas fell 45 runs behind in the third ODI played in Portcheffern under rain conditions, Bavuma stated: 'Yes, unfortunately, Tony went down.' He added that doctors would conduct the necessary examinations, but the team needs to act, noting that while Tony's loss is a blow to plans, there is an opportunity for another player to take on that role when needed.
He emphasized that there is no point in getting upset about the situation, as it won't help. Bavuma reported that the team discussed the situation with the medical staff, who are doing everything possible. He concluded that at the team meeting on Friday, they will need to focus and, as he put it, 'try to find a way in true South African style.'
Bavuma was one of five players resting during the 'dead' match at the North West Oval, and despite Proteas' failure in the last match in his absence, he believes the team can confidently approach the Test series, finishing the series with a 2-1 victory.
He expressed satisfaction with the result achieved, noting that one of the goals was to win the series. He also suggested that part of this was providing opportunities for players to regain form after a break in play. Thus, he sees confidence and momentum from the ODI series that can be carried over to the upcoming matches.
Proteas will now travel to Durban, where they will gather on Friday in preparation for the first Test, which starts on October 9th at the Kingsmead stadium.
