South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis has been sidelined for more than a month with a lower back injury that he sustained during the third and final One-Day International against Bangladesh on Sunday (October 22).
The right-handed batsman was initially supposed to sit out the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh and was expected to play the country’s domestic T20 competition. However, South Africa team management, on Tuesday (October 24), stated the skipper is set to spend a good time away from the cricket field.
Du Plessis was looking in a good touch and had raced away to 91 off just 67 balls before he collapsed at the crease and clutched his lower back after turning for a second run in the 41st over of the game. He soon was attended by the team’s medical staff, but it did not help him continue the game and was piggybacked by his teammate David Miller.
Dr. Mohammed Moosajee, the South Africa team manager, confirmed the news, saying the batsman has suffered an acute lumbar disc injury and needs ‘a period of rest and rehabilitation for next six weeks.’ Moosajee also hoped that the skipper would be able to play the four-day Boxing Day Test against Zimbabwe.
“Faf consulted with our team of specialists in Cape Town on Monday. Further investigations and assessment have confirmed an acute lumbar disc injury. He will require a period of rest and rehabilitation for the next six weeks. We anticipate him to be ready for the Test match against Zimbabwe in December,” Moosajee said.
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In du Plessis’ absence, JP Duminy will lead South Africa in the upcoming two-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Dwaine Pretorius got named as du Plessis’ replacement for the series.
Meanwhile, the hosts will be looking to continue their domination over Bangladesh. The in-form Proteas have whitewashed the visitors in the Tests and ODIs and are favorites to bag the T20I series too.
The series will start on Thursday (October 26) at Bloemfontein before the teams move to Potchefstroom for the last and final game of the series as well as the tour.