Former South African skipper Faf du Plessis has been rested from the upcoming ODI series between England and South Africa. The board took the call to give the seasoned batsman much-needed break, following his hectic schedule since October.
Others to not play for South Africa in the ODI series are Kagiso Rabada, Pite van Biljon, Bjorn Fortuin and Reeza Hendricks. South Africa has been struck by the injury of their prime bowler Kagiso Rabada who will now sit out for the next two weeks.
The pacer sustained an abductor strain ahead of the third and final T20I game at Cape Town this week.
“The following players have been released from the squad to either join their franchise teams who continue playing in the CSA Four-Day Domestic Series or for rest and/or recuperation; Faf du Plessis (rest), Kagiso Rabada (injury rehabilitation, recuperation and rest), Pite van Biljon, Bjorn Fortuin and Reeza Hendricks (all to return to 4-day domestic series),” CSA said in an official statement.
du Plessis last featured for South Africa in the T20I series that saw England outplaying them in all the departments and sealing the series 3-0. He scored 121 runs in three matches with 58 being his highest score during the first T20I.
In his absence, skipper Quinton de Kock would be looking to deploy as much available resource on the plate during the ODI series.
The first ODI match of the series will take place on December 4, followed by the next two on December 6 and 9 respectively.
