SA unsure over two spots ahead of Test

TEMBA BAVUMA IS FIT AGAIN AFTER A FINGER INJURY AND IS CONTESTING FOR A PLACE WITH THEUNIS DE BRUYN

CAPE TOWN: South Africa are still unsure over two selections ahead of the crucial third Test against Australia at Newlands on Thursday as captain Faf du Plessis hailed the "fair" process that made fast bowler Kagiso Rabada available for the game.

Du Plessis revealed on Wednesday that all-rounder Chris Morris and seamer Duanne Olivier had been released from the expanded 17-man squad, but that the home side were still mulling over two positions. Middleorder batsman Temba Bavuma is fit again after a finger injury and is contesting a place with Theunis de Bruyn, who played in the first two tests but averaged only 19.

"We have a lot of confidence in Temba, he has not had a lot of cricket recently but the quality is there and it is a good ground for him," Du Plessis said. The other position under discussion is that of seamers Lungi Ngidi and the more experienced Morne Morkel, with the former struggling with a toe problem having taken a match aggregate of 5-75 in the second test victory in Port Elizabeth.

"Lungi bowled really well in the previous game, but he has got a bit of a toe problem. If he is not 100 percent then it is not a difficult decision," Du Plessis said.

Morkel announced he would retire from international cricket after this series, and currently sits on 297 Test wickets. Du Plessis added: "The first priority will be to try and get those balances if there are injuries or stuff that don't play a part.”