Temba Bavuma to miss first ODI against Pakistan as Proteas manage workloads

Aiden Markram will lead the national side in the first of three ODIs with Bavuma expected to be back for the second match at Newlands on Thursday with the series concluding at the Wanderers on Sunday.

The three-match 50-over series will form part of preparations for the Champions Trophy that will be played in Pakistan in February next year.

The Proteas however are on the cusp of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final and will look for a balance of resting and rotating key players while also and giving other opportunities in the squad.

Bavuma told reporters: "Obviously you want to be playing as much cricket as you can. In saying that, we are trying to build a team and give ourselves the best opportunity to have a look at players in different positions.

"We have to use what we have. Looking at Pakistan, this is probably the strongest side we could put together, barring one or two injuries and that is with a strong view of the Champions Trophy that will happen early next year."

The Proteas will look to follow up their T20 series victory against Pakistan with more success in the 50-over format while the Test series begins on Boxing Day.

Bavuma mentioned that the squad against Pakistan is similar to the one that reached the ODI World Cup semi-final in India and they have emphasised the style and philosophy that they want to play.

The skipper added: "It's the first time the main group has been together since the World Cup, so we want to put ourselves in a position where we are playing the good cricket we saw at the World Cup.

"Guys have been reminding themselves about our style of play and philosophy, all the key points needed for us to play good cricket and we accept it might take a bit longer than we would like.  

âœBut we find ourselves in that space where we are playing our best cricket and being the best version of ourselves on and off the field.

"There won't be many changes from batting and bowling aspects. It is just about how quickly we can get into that space of playing good cricket."

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