Proteas pair Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada will not be named in the Lions’ XI for this week’s 4-Day Domestic Series fixture against the Dolphins at Kingsmead.
Bavuma and Rabada are not with the Proteas for the ongoing limited-overs series against India. Last week, Test coach Shukri Conrad stated they would play for the Lions.
“It wasn’t a long conversation where we agreed that the Test side is the priority,” said Conrad at the time.
“Bavuma and Rabada are among a group of players that have been omitted for the white-ball leg of the tour in order to play red-ball cricket as emphasis is placed on the Test series for which both will return.
“All our quick bowlers will be playing four-day cricket as well as Temba, coming back nice and refreshed. We are looking forward to a refreshed bowling attack as well as guys having adequate preparation for the Test series.”
This week, however, Rabada and Bavuma were not named in the Lions’ squad to face the Dolphins in Durban.
“Coach Russell Domingo admitted he was disappointed neither Temba Bavuma nor Kagiso Rabada will be turning out for the team this week, as expected,” read a statement from the Lions.
“The Proteas management wanted the duo, rested from the white-ball series against India, to get some red-ball practice in before the Tests. Proteas Test captain Bavuma has a personal matter to attend to and Rabada has a heel niggle.”