Du Plessis: Bavuma an option for PE

Faf du Plessis says the Proteas are considering replacing Theunis de Bruyn with Temba Bavuma for the second Test against Australia at St George’s Park.

The Proteas need a victory. After a week of controversy, Du Plessis and his troops need to digest their bitter defeat and wipe off the off-field mayhem dust in order to find victory in Port Elizabeth.

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The top-order batting was woeful in the first Test from both sides, but Australia’s tail edged the hosts’ bottom order despite the Proteas selecting an extra batsman (De Bruyn) to cover a potential top-order collapse.

De Bruyn failed to take full advantage of his opportunity in the side, scoring six and 36 in his two innings. Not enough to solidify his spot in the side.

Bavuma was practising in the nets and looked solid as Du Plessis confirmed his potential availability.

‘It’s obviously Temba and Theunis,’ Du Plessis said when asked about the combinations in his starting XI. ‘Weighing up where Temba is [at this moment], coming from a long injury layoff. We deciding whether (or not) he will come into the team. That is something we talking about.

‘I think Temba is batting pain-free, it’s just the power in the hand, he’s still getting that back. It’s a little different than us [Du Plessis, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock] with our finger injuries you can take the finger a little off the bat, with the hand it’s always on the bat. As far as I understand he’s playing fine, the power in the hand is just at about 80%.’

A bowling change is also an option for the Proteas.

‘From a bowling combination point of view – checking what we can do to always take wickets – we are looking at combinations with regards to the balance. But I assume no more than one change.’