Inexperience won’t bother South Africa in West Indies, believes captain Temba Bavuma

Ace South Africa pacer Anrich Nortje opted out of the central contract to focus more on T20 and franchise cricket while Gerald Coetzee is suffering from a side strain, which ruled him out of the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies. Meanwhile, Marco Jansen has been given a break from the series, which leaves South Africa with an inexperienced pace unit for the series that they need to win to remain alive to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

Despite many significant names missing, captain Temba Bavuma isn’t fazed and talked about developing new pacers in the series. The 34-year-old is counting on the services of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi and expects Nandre Burger to deliver, who has played just two Test matches for South Africa. He mentioned that it will be a massive opportunity for the players to step up and get the job done against West Indies and stamp their authority in international cricket.

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“Obviously, it's a setback. We build our fast bowling attack on our fast bowlers. We'll still find a way to be effective in those conditions. Guys like KG, Lungi (Ngidi) and Nandre Burger - it's a massive opportunity for them again to put up their hands and lead that bowling attack," Bavuma was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“Looking at the inexperience and all the new faces that we find within the team, it'll be a good test for the team and for those younger guys to kind of stamp their authority on international cricket,” he added.

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It'll be a good test for younger guys to stamp their authority on international cricket: Bavuma

The batting unit too lacks experience. Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and David Beddingham have played a total of nine Test matches and that’s concerning ahead of a series away from home. Meanwhile, with their inclusion, Temba Bavuma’s spot in the batting order changed as the captain is likely to bat at number four. However, he claimed to be ready for the role.

“Looking at the inexperience and all the new faces that we find within the team, it'll be a good test for the team and for those younger guys to kind of stamp their authority on international cricket,” Bavuma said.