South Africa is seriously monitoring the fitness of middle-order batter Heinrich Klaasen ahead of their crucial Champions Trophy Group B clash with Australia on Tuesday. Captain Temba Bavuma emphasized the need to remain cautious about their injury-plagued opponents despite their promising start to the tournament.
South Africa opened their campaign with a dominant 107-run victory over Afghanistan, while Australia secured a thrilling win against England, chasing down 352 with 15 balls remaining to win by five wickets.
However, Klaasen was unable to feature in the opening match due to an elbow injury and is now racing against time to be fit for the game in Rawalpindi.
"We still need to assess his fitness. He’ll have a practice session today, and then the medical team will make a decision based on how he performs," Bavuma said on Monday.
AUSTRALIA'S INJURY WOES
Australia are dealing with the absence of key bowlers – Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc – but still managed to put up a fight in their opening match, despite being taken to task by England's powerful batting lineup.
Bavuma acknowledged that while Australia’s depleted bowling attack presents an opportunity, the team should never be underestimated.
"Regardless of missing a few bowlers, you cannot afford to take any Australian team lightly, especially in an ICC event. They still have enough quality to be a dangerous side," Bavuma remarked. "There are opportunities in every match, but we won’t take them for granted."
THE IMPORTANCE OF WINNING THE TOSS
Bavuma also noted the challenge that the conditions in Rawalpindi could pose to bowlers, particularly due to the dew that makes it harder for them under lights. This factor could make winning the toss an important element in determining the outcome.
"We trained yesterday, and there was a noticeable amount of dew compared to other venues. The wicket looks good though, and there should be runs on offer," Bavuma added.
SOUTH AFRICA'S OPTIMISM FOR THE TOURNAMENT
Despite past disappointments in ICC tournaments, Bavuma remains optimistic about his side’s chances in this year’s competition. He expressed confidence in their abilities and the belief that they have the personnel to go far.
“We are feeling good, and confidence is high. We’re optimistic about how far we can progress in this tournament," Bavuma concluded.
With both teams eager for victory, the clash in Rawalpindi promises to be a thrilling contest, with the winner likely to take a significant step towards the semi-finals.
