Bavuma in doubt, but Klaasen ready to go against Bangladesh

It remains unclear whether Proteas captain Temba Bavuma will be available for their Cricket World Cup match against Bangladesh on Tuesday, according to Aiden Markram, but in-form batter Heinrich Klaasen should be ready to go.

Bavuma was forced to withdraw ahead of their game against England on Tuesday due to illness. And while South Africa went on to win convincingly, stand-in skipper Markram said he had been missed.

“It was very unfortunate for Temba and we obviously missed him, his leadership on the field,” Markram said on Monday.

Ahead of their fifth match of the tournament in Mumbai on Tuesday, Markram said Bavuma was feeling better, but he had not yet fully recovered and a decision would be made on his availability in the morning.

“He’s definitely improving. There hasn’t been a final call just yet on him. I think they’re going to make the call tomorrow. But he is at least in better spirits.”

‘Itching to go’

Klaasen, meanwhile, had recovered sufficiently after an exhaustive effort in the heat of Mumbai literally had him floored by cramps against England, as he bashed his way to a spectaular century.

“His body was really sore and he was quite fatigued, but he’s been trying to get treatment and rest in order to get himself good,” Markram said.

“As far as I’m aware, you will do well to keep him off the cricket field. He’s quite a tough guy and he’ll be itching to go again tomorrow, I’m sure.”