Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis will play for the Proteas against Zimbabwe in the third ODI at Paarl as South Africa seek a 3-0 win in the ODI series.

It was announced at the press conference that followed the Proteas’ net session this morning that Du Plessis is fit and will take his place in the side for tomorrow’s ODI. Du Plessis injured himself diving full length for a catch in the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Kandy on 5 August and has been out of action ever since.

‘Mentally and physically I’m feeling exceptionally good. I feel like a youngster in the team again – I have a spring in the step,’ said a buoyant Du Plessis.

‘The guys have been training hard. I have also been training hard with the guys and I’m feeling excited to be back on the field again. The guys are motivated, we are not only looking at what is in front of us now, there is a bigger purpose and push for what lies ahead. At no stage will we be taking it easy. The guys are still trying to impress and are trying to get into that World Cup side.

‘The players are motivated and driven to put in performances to put their names into the hat for the World Cup selection,’ he explained.

‘As a team, we are still trying to find our feet as to how exactly we are going to go about playing in the World Cup. There are some exceptional players coming through which is great to see.’

Du Plessis has played six ODIs against Zimbabwe, scoring 314 runs at 52.33, with a highest score of 121 (S/R 82.84).

Photo: Khalid Mohidin/SACricketmag.com