Proteas back in the swing of things
TEST SERIES: FAF SAYS HE OWES PROTEAS SOME BIG RUNS IN CAPE TOWN
SA need to choose between De Bruin and Bavuma at No 6 and Morkel and Ngidi as the third seamer.
With the last of the disciplinary hearings now hopefully out of the way, Proteas captain Faf du Plessis said yesterday that he is determined to make a big statement with the bat in the third Test between South Africa and Australia that starts at Newlands today.
In a fractious series that has required all of Du Plessis’ diplomacy and his presence in numerous meetings, culminating in what speedster Kagiso Rabada called his appearance in “court” this week, the captain has scored just 30 runs in four innings (one of them not out) in this epic rubber. Since scoring a superb double of 63 and 48 against India on an unpredictable Centurion pitch, Du Plessis has a highest score of just 15 in his last six innings and recognises that it’s time for him to contribute more with the bat.
“It does take a lot of time [dealing with all the hearings] but I see it as part of my role, to stand by the team, to back up my players and show that I am there with them. But it is crucial as captain to find a couple of minutes of your own space. But there are no worries, I’m used to that and I enjoy the challenge,” Du Plessis said at Newlands yesterday.
“Forgetting the captaincy for a bit, it is important to make runs though, that’s still my most important job. The Aussies have kept me quiet so far, so I’m very motivated to make a big play. In a series like this you need your senior players to stand up and AB, Hash and Dean have done that in the previous Tests.
“Hopefully I can now come up with a big play in this game.”
Rabada is available for selection after he was found not guilty of the level two charge of making “inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player” following an appeal hearing in Cape Town on Monday.
The Proteas’ selection issues heading into the crucial third Test were limited to whether to go into battle with Theunis de Bruyn or Temba Bavuma in the No 6 spot, and whether to back up Rabada and Vernon Philander with Lungi Ngidi or Morne Morkel.
“It’s a nice decision to have to make and Lungi and Morne have different strengths so it’s about who will be better in the conditions. Lungi bowled really well in the previous game, but he has a bit of a toe problem, which is bothering him and keeping him back a bit, so it becomes a very easy decision if he’s not 100% fit.
“Morne is a very fit bowler who can bowl long spells, which is especially important if we go in with three seamers and a spinner, we want the guys who have a lot of overs in the bank.
“It would be nice for Morne to get a chance to get to 300 wickets,” Du Plessis said.
Bavuma has not played a professional match since January 17 due to a fractured finger, but Du Plessis said his lack of competitive cricket did not necessarily rule him out of a return at Newlands.