South Africa captain Faf du Plessis is “touch and go” for the Boxing Day Test against Zimbabwe in Port Elizabeth as his recovery from shoulder surgery continues.
Du Plessis initially sustained a lower back injury during a one-day international against Bangladesh on October 24, which was expected to rule him out for up to six weeks. However the 33-year-old had been struggling with a shoulder problem for some time, and elected to use the window to undergo a shoulder operation ahead of a busy period of Test cricket.
While the operation prevented him from taking any part in the Ram Slam T20, it was hoped that Du Plessis would be ready for incoming tours by Zimbabwe, India and Australia that comprise a total of eight Tests, six ODIs and three T20 internationals.
Dr Shuaib Manjra, the head of Cricket South Africa’s medical committee, confirmed that Du Plessis’s shoulder is taking “longer than expected to heal”, but said the batsman could still face Zimbabwe despite a recent lack of game time.
“Faf is looking touch and go. He’s been included in a bigger squad for the Zimbabwe Test but we’ll have to make a decision closer to the time as to whether he will play,” Dr Manjra told Cricbuzz.
“The medical committee will make a decision along with the convenor of selectors. We’ll have a broader discussion around it, but the medical committee will make a final decision. He’s expected to be okay for the India series – we still have about three weeks before the first Test. But we would like to get a game under his belt before that.”
Should Du Plessis regain fitness in time for Boxing Day, it will leave the selectors with some difficult decisions to make. With AB de Villiers back in the frame for the first time in almost two years, finding space in a batting unit that excelled against Bangladesh whilst balancing the transformation requirements is likely to prove challenging.
The situation will become clearer later this week when the South Africa squad for the four-day, day-night Test against Zimbabwe is confirmed. With a full allotment of fast bowlers expected to be included, the selectors will face another welcome headache.
Morne Morkel signalled his availability by coming through a three-day game at the weekend in which he took match figures of 7 for 43 as Easterns beat Eastern Province by an innings. Vernon Philander is also back to full fitness, while Dale Steyn will attempt to prove his capacity for multi-day cricket when he turns out for an SA Invitational XI in Zimbabwe’s three-day warm-up game in Paarl.
Chris Morris is the only concern in the bowling department after he suffered a minor groin strain in the Ram Slam final, when his 4 for 13 propelled the Titans to a third straight title. “We’re hoping that our ‘A team’ will be ready for the first Test against India,” said Dr Manjra. “Dale and Morne are looking very good, Vernon has been playing consistently, Chris is a bit of a worry, but everybody else is fine.”
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