There are just seven weeks remaining before the WTC final, which starts on June 11.

The Proteas’ batting line-up has been a pretty settled unit over the last year, with basically everyone contributing big runs at crucial times during their incredible unbeaten run to the showpiece match.

It’s been the fast-bowling department where the team has had to chop and change, with injuries to speedsters such as Nandre Burger, Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee causing disruption.

Bavuma’s contributions have been immense, especially in the home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. As the captain he has also been outstanding, with his on-field leadership key to the success.

Bedingham, while not as prolific, would be a key batsman against the vaunted Aussie attack because of his experience in English conditions, having top-scored in last season’s County Championship.

Tony de Zorzi is expected to reclaim the opener’s berth alongside the in-form Aiden Markram, who is having a super Indian Premier League campaign. That should see the impressive Ryan Rickelton move down to No.3, as he is probably undroppable now after scoring a double century in the Proteas’ previous Test match against Pakistan at Newlands.

That leaves the conundrum of Tristan Stubbs, who himself has been in fine form in the Test team over the last year. If fit, Bavuma and Bedingham should be batting at No.4 and No.5 respectively, with wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne following them.

Conrad is also a big fan of Wiaan Mulder’s all-round talents at No.7, as he has made big contributions with bat and ball last summer and adds much-needed balance to the side. Marco Jansen coming in at No.8 also gives the South Africans plenty of depth in the batting stakes.

However, if the Proteas decide to go with four seamers and Markram as the sole spinning option ahead of veteran Keshav Maharaj in the early English summer, there may be a case for seven front-line batsmen, with Mulder and Jansen moving down a spot. But this is unlikely to happen.

So, the Proteas are in a fortunate position when all their batters are fit, but Stubbs can also fit in if one of Bavuma or Bedingham hasn’t fully recovered.

Hopefully that is the worst-case scenario for Conrad, and that there aren’t any more injuries to come ahead of the Proteas’ biggest Test match in their history.

@JohnGoliath82

#david-bedingham

Watch VideoWill injuries force the Proteas to reshuffle their batting line-up for the WTC final?

Will injuries force the Proteas to reshuffle their batting line-up for the WTC final?