Gibbs shares concerns over Bavuma ahead of Aussie tour: Why is he not playing for the Lions?

Former Proteas star Herschelle Gibbs says Temba Bavuma should play more first-class cricket to spend more time in the middle before the Proteas' tour of Australia.

The Proteas tour Australia for a three-match Test series over the festive season, with the first Test starting from 17 December.

Bavuma has been under-fire since taking over the reins as South Africa's T20 captain, which was heightened by his inconsistent form.

Throughout the Proteas' T20 World Cup campaign, Bavuma's place in the starting XI was under scrutiny and his performances with the bat didn't help matters. 

Bavuma, who recently returned from injury, only managed 70 runs at an average of 17.50 in South Africa's five T20 World Cup matches.

READ | Proteas selection chief admits rank stopped Reeza from cracking nod ahead of Bavuma 

Bavuma is part of the Proteas' Test squad, who only depart for Australia on 1 December as Cricket South Africa's 4-Day Franchise Series season kicked off last week.

Several Proteas stars did not take part in the first round, with Gibbs questioning why out-of-form Bavuma couldn't get more game time ahead of a tour to Australia.

"I'm a little bit surprised that he's not playing in the Lions team in this particular round of first-class cricket. It's a bit of a worry, having obviously not made any runs in the World Cup and [coming] to Australia in a couple of weeks' time," said Gibbs at the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational in Sun City.

"No one made mention as to why he's not playing (for the Lions), which is obviously a bit of a concern because he needs runs. And this is the ideal way to get into some sort of form with regards to one or two rounds of first-class games before you go to a Test series in Australia.

"Because of being the