Rabada, Ngidi, Maphaka ruled out: Bavuma urges depleted South Africa pace attack to step up against Australia

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said his team will need to make the most of its depleted fast bowling attack when they host Australia in a three-match ODI series starting in Durban on Thursday.South Africa are without Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka and Ottneil Baartman, who have been ruled out with hamstring injuries. Nandre Burger is also unavailable because of a back injury.Bavuma said having a strong group of fast bowlers for visiting teams to face is part of South African cricket's "DNA", but the injuries have forced the team to look beyond its usual options for the series.Lizaad Williams, the Jansen twins Marco and Duan, Gerald Coetzee, Corbin Bosch and Nqobani Mokoena have played only 72 ODIs between them."I think we're going to have to make the most of the bowling resources that we have from the seam department. There are options there. I think it's just how smartly we approach managing the loads of our fast bowlers," Bavuma told reporters on Wednesday, as quoted by news agency Reuters."We want teams, when they come here, to know that they're going to have to deal with our fast bowlers. That's part of our DNA."South Africa have played only three ODIs in 2026. They won all three against Namibia in a series earlier this month with a depleted squad.With South Africa set to host the 2027 World Cup next year, the current season is an important one for the team in the 50-over format."It's been a while since this ODI team has come together," Bavuma said. "I think there's a strong desire to look after our ODI record of late and ensure that we're putting our best foot forward out there on the field."Bavuma said the team already has an idea of the core group it wants for the World Cup and is unlikely to make major changes."From a team perspective, we generally know who those core players are (for the World Cup). I don't think we will move away too much from that," he added.There will be new players coming into the squad, but Bavuma said the three-match series against England in January 2027 could give a clearer picture of the team South Africa expect to take into the World Cup."We'll see new faces coming in, but probably that England series (in January 2027) will be closer to what we think we will have for the World Cup."Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.