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FAF DU PLESSIS

Paul Munyuki and Jonathan John
TWO of the three best One-Day International cricket teams go head-to-head at Harare Sports Club in what promises to be a massive battle for the tri-series trophy with very little to choose between Australia and South Africa.
The Aussies believe they have to contain in-form Faf du Plessis if they are to win the final.

The South African duo of Morne Morkel (right shoulder) and JD Duminy (knee injury) are doubtful for the final as they are expected to undergo a late fitness test this morning to determine if they can be able to play today .

Du Plessis has been in top form in the series and is happy with his form after he scored three hundreds in four games during the series so far and he is the man Australian stand-in captain George Bailey feels they have to get rid of to win the series.

“We do (look at him), but when he’s batting as well as he is bowling he doesn’t give you that many clues as to how to get him out,” said Bailey.

“He’s obviously in wonderful nick.

“We’ve got a couple of ways we hope we can try to contain him and, like anyone starting an innings, there’s always a chance to be dismissed.

“But he’s obviously in really good touch, but I guess the old cricket adage is he’s due to miss out isn’t he? So, hopefully, that comes true.

“It is a new pitch, and it’s an interesting looking pitch and I’ve never been particularly good at judging them at the best of times. But that one sort of looks like a little bit of everything.

“It looks like it might seem a little bit, it looks like it might spin a little bit, and it looks like there might be a few runs in it.
“So I’m going to have to ask somebody else, because I’ve really got no idea.

“It’s a tri-series and we’re into the final, so the goal is obviously to win the final, I think that goes without saying.”

But South African captain AB de Villiers believes Du Plessis has a “great cricket brain”.

“It’s certainly the best form he’s shown at international level, but I’ve always known that he was capable of doing that,” said de Villiers.

“So it’s great to see him coming through like that, and at a crucial time. Leading up to a big World Cup, it’s great to have our No.3 slot cemented down now by a guy who’s in great form and a guy with a great cricket brain.

“He played exceptionally well again, in a tricky situation against Zimbabwe again. It set us up nicely for a good ODI win,” said de Villiers.