AB to miss Zim clash

Captain AB de Villiers will be offered some rest after he battled severe hamstring cramp during his marvellous unbeaten 136 that propelled the Proteas' amazing run chase. Photo: Dinuka Liyanawatte

Captain AB de Villiers will be offered some rest after he battled severe hamstring cramp during his marvellous unbeaten 136 that propelled the Proteas' amazing run chase. Photo: Dinuka Liyanawatte

Published Aug 29, 2014

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Harare - South Africa are set to shuffle their pack for Friday’s Triangular series clash against hosts Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club.

Proteas coach Russell Domingo and selector on tour Hussain Manack have decided on three changes to the starting XI that famously beat Australia here on Wednesday.

Captain AB de Villiers will be offered some rest after he battled severe hamstring cramp during his marvellous unbeaten 136 that propelled the Proteas’ amazing run chase.

South Africa's Test captain Hashim Amla will lead the Proteas in De Villiers's absence.

Knights left-hander Rilee Rossouw will get another opportunity, but will occupy De Villiers’s No 4 spot instead of opening like he did in his ODI debut last week in Bulawayo.

Rossouw will hopefully be more composed this week than when he ran himself out for a duck.

Lanky fast bowler Morne Morkel is suffering from a sore shoulder and will be rested as a precautionary measure on Friday.

Dolphins seamer Kyle Abbott, who would have considered himself unlucky not to play in the opening game of this tri-series anyway, comes into the starting XI.

Abbott’s control with the new ball, ability to come back in the powerplays and deliver accurate yorkers at the death will be valuable to the Proteas.

South Africa’s trumpcard Imran Tahir will also be reunited with his left-arm spinning partner Aaron Phangiso. The pair bowled beautifully in tandem during the bilateral series and will look to continue their stranglehold on their under-pressure hosts.

All-rounder Wayne Parnell will sit out this tie that starts at 9.30am.

South Africa:

Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis (capt), Rilee Rossouw, JP Duminy, David Miller, Ryan McLaren, Kyle Abbott, Dale Steyn, Aaron Phangiso, Imran Tahir.

Independent Newspapers

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