After an unbeaten 129 for his maiden international ODI century against Australia last weekend, Proteas youngster Janneman Malan could get his chance in India on Thursday.
With opening batsman Temba Bavuma still recovering from a hamstring problem ahead of Thursday’s three-match one-day series
opener in Dharamshala, Cape Cobras star Malan is the man coach Mark Boucher is likely to turn to.
He says of the 23-year-old with the three caps: “Temba owns that spot, and if he can get back in, he gets back in.
“It’s good to see that Janneman has put his hand up, he’s one of those youngsters who’s come through and played great cricket and taken his chance.”
INJURED: Proteas batsman Themba Bavuma. Picture: Phando Jikelo/ANA.
From a youthful boost, Boucher will be keen to add experience to a team carrying many new faces to India.
And there is no one better available than former skipper Faf du Plessis.
His record in India speaks for itself – in his last nine innings there he’s scored 394 runs at an average of 65.66, including an unbeaten 133 in Mumbai in 2015.
Boucher says of his 35-year-old veteran: “Why would you not want to have Faf in the set-up? He’s done well in those conditions. Just him being in the squad adds a lot of value and experience.
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“When you go to India, you need a balance between youth and experience. Faf has done really well for SA in one-day cricket, he’s got a hundred in his last knock, he knows Indian conditions really well.”
SA in India fixtures:
- 1ST ODI : Dharamshala, March 11, 10am.
- 2nd ODI: Lucknow, March 15, 10am.
- 3rd ODI : Kolkata, March 18, 10am.