Cricket South Africa rests Faf du Plessis for England ODIs

Cricket South Africa decided to manage the workload of in-form Faf du Plessis ahead of the ODI series against England, with the board excluding the former skipper from the series.

After Kagiso Rabada was ruled out from the ODI series with a groin strain, the selectors have released another four players from the squad. Faf du Plessis, Pite van Biljon, Bjorn Fortuin, and Reeza Hendricks will not be part of the group that will take on England with no clear certainty about Andile Phehlukwayo.

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South Africa left with combination problems

The decision has left Quinton de Kock in a difficult position, considering the Saffers were facing a combination problem from the very beginning. While Dwaine Pretorius was ruled out of the entire tour due to a hamstring pull, Phehlukwayo could’ve been the saving grace in the middle order and with the ball – and of course, with transformation targets that are set to get tougher in the future.

“If you’ve got six bowlers in the team it gives you another option and in 50-over cricket, he has been great for us. His one-day record is special,” Charl Langeveldt, South Africa’s bowling coach said.

“He gives you that option bowling at the back end as well. If he is fit, we are going to have a look today, and then we will make a judgement on if he will be able to play on Friday.”

One of George Linde and Jon-Jon Smuts will have to deliver for the side but the question will now hover of the quality and the combination as well. The first ODI at the Newlands today will give a definitive answer.