Faf du Plessis has some fitness concerns before the historic four-day Test match

The Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis faces some fitness issues ahead of the first-ever international four-day Test match against Zimbabwe in Port Elizabeth starting December 26. The captain was struck with a lower back injury during ODI series against Bangladesh and had to miss the following T2oI series. The South African team management is still reluctant to have their skipper back on the field in the historic four-day game.

Plessis didn’t participate in the recently concluded Ram Slam T20 tournament in South Africa to fully recover from the injury for the forthcoming Tests against Zimbabwe, India and Australia. Zimbabwe will be playing a three-day warm-up game before the only four-day Test match from December 26 to 29.

This Test match would also mark the comeback of two most experienced South African cricketers, AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn in red-ball cricket.

The final decision will be taken in days to come

Dr Shuaib Manjra, the head of Cricket South Africa’s medical committee revealed that the skipper’s injury has not completely recuperated and the final call regarding his participation would be taken in the days to come. There will be a proper discussion in this matter involving the medical committee and the selectors. The doctor also mentioned the fact that the recovery time for the injury has been more than the expected duration.

“Faf is looking touch and go. He’s been included in a bigger squad for the Zimbabwe Test but we’ll have to make a decision closer to the time as to whether he will play,” said Dr Manjra in a conversation with Cricbuzz.

He will definitely be fit for the India series

The South Africans would be locking horns with the No. 1 Test side in a three-match Test series next year, which will be a crucial contest for both the teams. The medical committee feels du Plessis would be fit and ready for the Test series against India but they also want their skipper some match time before the home series.

“The medical committee will make a decision along with the convenor of selectors. We’ll have a broader discussion around it, but the medical committee will make a final decision. He’s expected to be okay for the India series – we still have about three weeks before the first Test. But we would like to get a game under his belt before that,” the doctor added.