South Africa’s woes continue on their ongoing tour of India as they have now lost the services of their opener Aiden Markram who has been ruled out of the third test match due to a wrist injury. Keshav Maharaj, South Africa’s premier left-arm spinner, is already on his way back home having injured his shoulder in the second test match in Pune.
The South African squad doesn’t have a reserve opener. Hence, the visitors will have to opt for a make-shift opener in Ranchi. Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma have opened the innings for South Africa in the past, but they are not regular openers. De Kock has been performing really well for South Africa down the order at no. 7.
Bavuma, on the other hand, has had a horror of a series so far as he has failed to cross the 50-run mark even once in the 4 innings that he has played.
If Markram was available for Ranchi test, Bavuma would probably have been dropped, but now with Markram being injured, South Africa would probably like to give Bavuma another go and they might put him at the top of the order to partner Dean Elgar.
As far as Markram is concerned, he has been reported to have injured his hand while trying to hit something in frustration after his dismissal in the second innings in Pune. He went for the scans which showed a fracture in the wrist. The right handed opener has said that he has apologized to his teammates for his inexcusable behavior.
“We understand in sport that emotions run high and sometimes the frustration gets the better of you as it did for me, but like I said, it’s no excuse. I’ve taken full responsibility for it, I have apologized to the team and hopefully I can make it up to them and the people of South Africa soon,” Markram told the reporters.
