Why didn’t Temba Bavuma bowl Kagiso Rabada at the end of South Africa vs Australia semi-final?

On a night where Temba Bavuma’s captaincy was put under extreme spotlight the decision to not bowl Kagiso Rabada in the latter stages was perplexing, particularly when South Africa were still within a chance of beating Australia and making the World Cup final. But, strangely, Bavuma gave the ball to Gerald Coetzee, Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen. Rabada, whose first spell consisted for five overs, did come on for a second, but bowled only one more over. Even when Steve Smith was dismissed, and with Josh Inglis also back in the hut, Bavuma didn’t call on Rabada to deliver one make or break spell. Even Aiden Markram was relied over Rabada, making everyone wonder why Rabada didn’t bowl.

And South Africa coach Rob Walters had the answer for it. “If you’re watching him in the park, you could see him limping around. In the comeback spell that he bowled, he just wasn’t able to deliver at 100 per cent,” Walters said.

The niggle meant, Bavuma couldn’t call on Rabada to complete his quota of overs as he continued to remain in the field.

“Obviously, with that, it also led us into bringing Aiden (Markram) on, and Aiden was outstanding all through the game. I mean, obviously, a fit and able KG has shown throughout this competition how he was one of our leading bowlers and has been for South Africa for some time,” Walters said.

The South Africa coach also said that Rabada’s injury didn’t really have an effect on the result as a place in the 50-over World Cup final remained elusive for them. This is the fifth time South Africa have made it to the semi-final and have not been able to make the final.

“It was a pity. I don’t think it was a defining moment in the game to be dead honest. But obviously, a pity that we couldn’t call on him in the normal way.”