Sport

TOSS | Bavuma, Ngidi return as Proteas win toss and bowl first in Raipur

PROTEAS TOUR TO INDIA

Ongama Gcwabe|Published

Temba Bavuma returns to lead South Africa’s push for a series-levelling win in Raipur. Photo: Backpagepix

Image: backpagepix

Proteas One Day captain Temba Bavuma and fast bowler Lungi Ngidi return to the playing XI for the second match against India in Raipur as the visitors search for a series-levelling victory on Wednesday. 

Bavuma, having missed out on playing the series opener in Ranchi last week as he recovered under medical supervision after feeling unwell on the eve of the first ODI, returns to the playing XI in the second match of the series in Raipur. 

The 35-year-old boosts South Africa's chances of a series-levelling victory on Wednesday after losing the series opener by 17 runs, especially given that he led the Test squad to a historic series triumph last month. 

The experienced right-arm fast bowler Lungi Ngidi also makes his return to the playing XI, as he replaces fellow quick Ottneil Baartman in Raipur. 

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad and captain Bavuma have made the big call of dropping opening batter Ryan Rickelton, as they promoted Quinton de Kock up the order to open the batting alongside Aiden Markram. 

It was almost inevitable that Rickelton would perhaps be the sacrificial lamb for De Kock, who has recently reversed his retirement decision, returning to ODI cricket for the first time in two years.

Rickelton, having only crossed the half-century mark once in ten innings, also did not make a strong enough case for himself in what is a massively talented top-six. 

Moreover, there were talks of Markram returning to the middle-order, where he has been reasonably successful in the past. 

However, with this playing XI, Conrad has maintained his verdict that Markram is an opening batter so long as he is still at the helm. 

The experienced spinner Keshav Maharaj also comes back into the playing XI after missing out in the first match, as Prenelan Subrayen got the nod in Ranchi. 

Proteas playing XI 

  1. Aiden Markram 
  2. Quinton de Kock 
  3. Temba Bavuma (capt)
  4. Matthew Breetzke 
  5. Tony de Zorzi 
  6. Dewald Brevis
  7. Marco Jansen 
  8. Corbin Bosch
  9. Keshav Maharaj
  10. Nandre Burger 
  11. Lungi Ngidi