We have a score to settle: Du Plessis

CAPETOWN: South Africa captain Faf du Plessis faces a selection headache but made it clear the Pro teas have a score to settle after the humiliating 3-0 defeat in India in 2015. With pacer Dale Steyn deemed fit, du Plessis needs to make a conscious selection call going into the first Test.

“This selection is probably one of the hardest that we are going to have to make. There are just so many combinations you can look at. It’s a nice headache to have. It’s a possibility, especially up on the Highveld (to play four seamers), but we’re still talking about what could be our strongest XI,” said du P less is at Thursday’ s pr ematch press conference.

“It’s a tough call. For me, he (Steyn) is the best bowler in the world. He hasn’t played for a while and hasn’t got the overs under his legs that he would have wanted. But facing Dale in the nets, the skill feels like it hasn’t gone anywhere. He has the same pace and swing. Skill-wise it’ s like he has just jumped back on that bicycle and is riding again.”

India batting coach Sanjay Bangar, who attended the press conference instead of Vi rat K oh li, too said they hadn’t decided on the final XI .“As of now the conditions we found, we expect the ball to se am around a bit on Day One. On Days Two and Three, they are going to be very good batting conditions. We will take into consideration the extent of moisture tomorrow( Friday) on the surface and we will take it from there,” said Bang ar, asked whether India would go with Rohit Sharma or five specialist bowlers.

This maybe the last time the core of Hashim Amla, de Villiers and du Plessis plays together against India in a Test series and the South Africa captain wants to make it count. “I don’t know when the next Test series against India is, but it’s probably the last time all of us play against India and there’s no better way than playing a series in South Africa. We were disappointed the last time we went there and we’ ve got a score to settle, so we’re excited for this series,” he said.

Du P less is was wary about not allowing India’s seamers get more advantage from the pitch than the home bowlers. “You don’ t want excessive se am movement because that brings both bowling attacks into the game. With our seam resources, on a wicket that has some pace and bounce, we can exploit some of those areas in their batting line.”

I see South Africa against India, I don’t see a rivalry between us. We don’t look at Virat. He doesn’t get more time than any of the other batters. FAF DU PLESSIS, On the so-called rivalry with Virat Kohli