South Africa wins the toss against Bangladesh at Cricket World Cup

MUMBAI, India –

South Africa won the toss and opted to bat against Bangladesh at the Cricket World Cup but will again be without Temba Bavuma, who was again ruled out with an illness.

Aiden Markram leads South Africa again in the absence of Bavuma, who also missed its last game against England.

South Africa has three wins from its opening four games, rebounding from a shocking loss to lowly-ranked Netherlands with a comprehensive 229-run win over 2019 champion England.

Bangladesh, after opening the tournament with a six-wicket win over Afghanistan, has had lopsided losses to New Zealand, England and India.

Bangladesh was boosted by the return of mercurial all-rounder and skipper Shakib Al Hasan, who missed the last game against India iwth an injury.

Shakib replaced batter Towhid Hridoy in the team’s only change.

Reeza Hendricks, who scored a fluent 85 runs from 75 balls against England, will continue to open the batting in Bavuma’s absence. Pacer Lungi Ngidi was also ruled out with a knee problem.

The Proteas have been on a high-scoring spree, notching up this World Cup’s two highest totals — 428-5 against Sri Lanka in Delhi and 399-7 against England.

Temperatures are set to run high again in Mumbai, expected to reach 37 C.

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Lineups:

South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (captain), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lizaad Williams.

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud.