Temba Bavuma puts dodgy hamstring to test in South Africa's optional training session

South Africa will square off against Australia in the second semi-final of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup. The high-octane clash will be held at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 16. Meanwhile, the first knockout game between India and New Zealand is scheduled to be contested one day prior at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Ahead of the all-important clash, South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma took part in an optional training session that lasted for more than 30 minutes. The 33-year-old batter ran a couple of laps around the outfield in Kolkata. He then did a few fitness drills following the instructions from team physiotherapist Sizwe Hadebe and the strength and conditioning coach Runeshan Moodley. 
 
The opening batter continued with some shuttle runs after that, picking up the speed as he went ahead and backwards with each loop. He did not seem uncomfortable when he was jogging, though at times he hunched down and rested his hands on his sides. The opening batter was also observed sporting some strapping on his leg.

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He shadow-batted with a stump later in the practice and was spotted speaking with coach Rob Walter after that. He entered the net and batted with a stump after watching Rassie van der Dussen's batting. The opening batter even moved forward to knock a couple of balls down the track.

"Temba's right hamstring strain has shown good objective signs of improvement over the last 72 hours. We will continuously assess his progress through the management plan over the next few days towards giving him the best chance to play on Thursday," The South African medical staff told ESPNcricinfo.  

Additionally, the medical team made it clear that Bavuma was working on Monday as "part of the rehabilitation strategies of the recovery plan," not for a fitness test.

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