A freak injury that South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma received while batting in the first of the three ODIs against Sri Lanka has ruled him out of the rest of the series. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has been appointed as the captain of the side for the two ODIs while the National Selection Committee would discuss and decide about the T20I captain, who would lead the side in the three-match T20I series beginning September 10.
"The timelines for return to play will be defined subsequent to that," the CSA official release said about Bavuma’s return as the right-hand batter has been sent back to South Africa to consult a specialist as soon as possible.
Bavuma was hit on the hand from throw while completing a run in the 28th over and from there on didn’t bat any further after retiring hurt on a score of 38 when he and Aiden Markram were going great with a 106 run partnership between the two, chasing a target of 301.
Maharaj, 31, who has now got the opportunity to lead the side has played only 12 ODIs before and has taken 15 wickets in them while in 26 Tests he has to his credit 129 wickets.
South Africa eventually lost the game by 14 runs as Markram was dismissed soon after Bavuma’s departure. The second ODI would be played on September 05 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.