Morne Morkel in line for Test return

Faf du Plessis says Lungi Ngidi could be replaced by Morne Morkel for the Newlands Test.

The Test series has been dominated by the pace bowlers so far and they are expected to dominate once again, especially with a typical Newlands pitch expected for the third Test starting on Thursday.

‘It looks good,’ said Du Plessis about the Newlands wicket. ‘A standard Newlands wicket is expected. There’s a little in it for both. So it will be a fair contest between bat and ball.’

Du Plessis has not yet settled on his first XI, but it will be a toss-up between Morkel and Ngidi, with the latter possibly losing out due to injury.

‘Lungi bowled really well in the previous game,’ said Du Plessis, ‘He has a little [bit] of a toe problem. Which is why the consideration is happening between the two of them. It is bothering him and keeping him a bit back. If he is not 100% then it is a very easy decision for us.

‘What counts in Morne’s favour is that he is a very fit bowler and can bowl long spells. That’s very important going into this Test match especially if we only have three seamers and a spinner. We will have the three bowlers who have the biggest tank with regards to bowling a lot of overs.’

Du Plessis also mentioned that Temba Bavuma will be considered as a replacement for Theunis de Bruyn.

‘As always when I get to you guys [the media] you ask me the question before we get to chat [with] the selectors. We have 13 players in mind. Temba is ready to go again, so the decision is between him and Theunis. Then also a decision between Morne and Lungi [over] which one will be best suited for the conditions.

‘We have a lot of confidence in Temba. He’s a quiet, quality player and obviously doesn’t have a lot of cricket under his belt, but the quality is there. It’s a good ground for him, so he will reflect on that confidence and bring it back into his game.

‘[Chris] Morris is going home and [Duanne] Olivier. Depending on the toss tomorrow we will send the rest home, because they want to play in the four-day games.’