Faf returns as Proteas bat first

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 12: Faf du Plessis during the 2nd KFC T20 International match between South Africa and Australia at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on March 12, 2014 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images)

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 12: Faf du Plessis during the 2nd KFC T20 International match between South Africa and Australia at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on March 12, 2014 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images)

Published Mar 24, 2014

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Zaahier Adams in Chittagong

South Africa received a significant boost ahead of their must-win Group 1 World T20 tie against New Zealand with captain Faf du Plessis passing a late fitness on Monday morning.

Du Plessis missed the opening five-run defeat to Sri Lanka last Saturday with a hamstring strain, but after intensive rehab over the past couple of days with Proteas physio Brendon Jackson, the skipper was ready to walk out for the toss with his Kiwi counterpart Brendon McCullum, who called correctly and sent South Africa into bat.

Farhaan Behardien has dropped out of the starting line-up for Du Plessis’s return. It is the only change to the South African starting XI, as the selectors have resisted to bring in the all-round talents of Wayne Parnell.

New Zealand have kept the same XI that beat England on Duckworth-Lewis last Saturday.

 

South Africa

Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (capt), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

New Zealand

Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum (capt), Ross Taylor, Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi (wk), Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Kyle Mills, Mitch McClenaghan. -

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