JP Duminy is to take the captaincy of the Proteas T20 squad after Faf du Plessis was injured during the third ODI on Sunday.

Du Plessis strained his back while batting and had to be helped from the field in extreme pain. He is being sent back to Cape Town for evaluation and treatment. But it was immediately obvious that he would not be able to take part in the two-match T20 series against Bangladesh, starting on Thursday in Bloemfontein.

Du Plessis appeared to sustain the injury when he turned for a tight second run in the 40th over for what would be his 91st run. He made it safely to his crease, but then collapsed. Physios were rapidly by his side, but he needed help even getting up, gripping his lower back, and needed a piggyback ride for the last few metres as he left the field.

Dwaine Pretorius has been drafted into the squad as a replacement player.

Whatever the outcome, Du Plessis will be able to rest until at least the Boxing Day Test against Zimbabwe, the Proteas’ next assignment after the Bangladesh series. Thereafter, India begin their tour on January 5.

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