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Injury could sideline du Plessis for Pink ball challenge

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Injury and a virus could rule Proteas captain Faf du Plessis out of the four day, Pink Ball, day-night test against Zimbabwe starting on Boxing Day in Port Elizabeth.

Fans will be happy though that AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander are back in the squad.

This will be the first time in almost two years that South Africa is back to almost full strength for a test match. Losing a captain would ordinarily spell disaster but should du Plessis sit out this test, it will make the selector’s job easier.

They could simply secure a spot in the batting order for AB de Villiers who makes a return to test cricket after two years. Opening batman Dean Elgar is likely to lead the team in du Plessis’s absence.

“I picked up a virus last week which has slowed me down a little bit, so right now where we stand it’s trying to get to practice today and see how it feels. I practiced yesterday and there was still a bit of pain in my back and obviously if professionals say there is pain on the disc its dangerous so that’s why we seeing today how it works,” says du Plessis.

The Proteas and the Zimbabweans have been training this week. For the Pink Challenge, instead of the traditional red or white cricket balls, a pink ball will be used. The experts say bar the colour of the ball, there’s not too much difference.

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