Faf ’s return gives Boucher a welcome selection headache

Finding a place in the batting lineup for former captain Faf du Plessis in SA’s three-match ODI series against India has given coach Mark Boucher a welcome selection headache.

The Proteas’ programme on the subcontinent starts tomorrow in Dharamshala and it continues to Lucknow on Sunday with the last match scheduled for Kolkata Wednesday next week.

Boucher said it was a nobrainer to have Du Plessis‚ who was rested for the 3-0 series whitewash over Australia‚ in India even though his availability has come with its own set of challenges.

The SA coach turned to JonJon Smuts‚ Janneman Malan‚ Kyle Verreynne and Heinrich Klaasen when the South Africans faced Australia and they returned with satisfactory performances in the top and middle order in Du Plessis’ absence. But counting in Du Plessis’ favour is the fact that Smuts‚ Malan‚ Verreynne and Klaasen have played 28 matches between them while the former skipper has featured in 143 matches since his debut in 2011.

“His [Du Plessis] availability is a bit of a headache for me at the moment but it is a good headache to have‚” Boucher said, adding that conditions in India would have a bearing on which players are going to be selected in his starting lineup.

“Just having him around the squad will add a lot of value because of his experience.

“But we will have a look at the conditions and put combinations together with regards to the batting lineup.”

Du Plessis’ vast knowledge of the conditions in India‚ where he has also played in the IPL‚ is another factor that could see him feature in his first ODI since the inconsequential World Cup win over Australia last year.