South Africa batsman Rassie van der Dussen is set to make his Test debut in the first match of the series against England that starts on Thursday.
The 30-year-old Van der Dussen will bat at No 5, captain Faf du Plessis said yesterday, in place of Temba Bavuma who has been ruled out with a hip injury.
Van der Dussen is one of six uncapped players named in the squad chosen for the first two matches of the four-test series against England.
He had played 18 one-day and nine Twenty20 internationals and was one of the few South Africans who impressed at this year’s World Cup in England.
“He was a mature cricketer when he started for us in ODIs and is someone who knows his game very well‚“ Du Plessis said of Van der Dussen.
“He came into international cricket looking very comfortable and over the last season and a half has been very fruitful and scored a lot of runs in white ball cricket.
“He is calm and composed with the bat. You can just see it sometimes when someone is suited for international cricket and that’s been the case with him. I think he will be very much at home.”
Du Plessis said a decision on playing an extra bowler would be made this morning after assessing conditions at Centurion, Pretoria.
“We have asked for good wickets for this test series that offer both something to the bowler and batsmen,” the South Africa captain said.
There is a renewed optimism in the South African camp. A new coaching set-up, with Mark Boucher in charge, and Jacques Kallis, Charl Langeveldt and Paul Harris in consulting roles, has given them a lift, while former captain Graeme Smith is now director of cricket.
Du Plessis has made it clear this week that the overhaul of the coaching structure is a positive move for South African cricket and that it is “a breath of fresh air to have these guys back” involved with the team.
But he also insists that improving their Test status will not be an quick fix.
Both England and South Africa are playing their second ICC Test Championship series.
While England are third on the table with two wins, South Africa are last, having been routed 3-0 in a series clean-sweep by a rampant Indian side last month.
“We are at an infant stage as a Test team, and the plan is to get back to No 1, but that will take some time,” Du Plessis said.
“We do need to mature, we’ve got a year and a half of the World Test Championship. The plan is get out there and play a little bit better every time we go out.”
