South African pace ace returns to squad along with skipper Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis
Cape Town: A fit-again Faf du Plessis will return to lead a full-strength South Africa squad, also comprising lead pacer Dale Steyn, for the first Test against India beginning here on January 5.
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Du Plessis and Steyn could not be part of the four-day Test against Zimbabwe due to illness. Ab de Villiers, who played his first Test in almost two years, had led South Africa to a comfortable win against Zimbabwe in Du Plessis' absence. Fast bowling all-rounder Chris Morris too has been added to the 15-man squad, joining Steyn, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Andile Phehlukwayo in a formidable pace attack. Morris replaced fast bowler Duanne Olivier in the only change in the 15-man squad that was picked for the Zimbabwe Test. There is stiff competition in the pace department and it remains to be seen who will b picked in the eleven alongside probable starters Rabada and Philander.
South Africa's Dale Steyn warms up during the Durban Test against England on December 26, 2015 Pic/getty Images
Steyn, who is returning to action after a shoulder surgery that kept him out of the team for more than a year, has a good chance to play. Morkel has increased the selectors' headache by taking a five-wicket haul against in his comeback game against Zimbabwe. Quinton de Kock, who pulled a hamstring while batting on day one of the one-off Test, has been named as the sole wicketkeeper in the squad. De Villiers had kept wickets in his absence.
The lone specialist spinner in the squad is left-armer Keshav Maharaj, who took a fifer in the second innings against Zimbabwe. Theunis de Bruyn, picked as a reserve batsman against Zimbabwe, retained his spot. De Villiers' return to the five-day format has bolstered the batting. He had a decent outing against Zimbabwe, scoring a 65-ball 53.
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