• Steyn, Amla, de Villiers rested

    South Africa will be without fast bowler Dale Steyn for the remainder of this month’s ODI series against West Indies. Batsman Hashim Amla and captain AB de Villiers, too, have been rested for matches four and five respectively.

    Steyn took six key wickets in the opening three fixtures across Durban, Johannesburg and East London, affording the Proteas an unassailable series lead. His services, however, will not be required in Port Elizabeth and Centurion.

    ‘We want to play everybody that is in the squad, so we will use these next two games as an opportunity for some of the fringe players to stake a claim and to put in some performances for us,’ said coach Russell Domingo.

    ‘It is highly unlikely that AB de Villiers will keep wicket for the next two games. I am waiting to confirm with the selectors, but my plan is for Morne van Wyk to keep in the next game and then, in all likeliness, depending on approval from the medical committee, have Quinton de Kock playing the last game.’

    The absence of Steyn, Amla and de Villiers, meanwhile, will necessitate the selection of all-rounder Wayne Parnell, seamer Kyle Abbott and spinner Aaron Phangiso – against a weak Windies unit eager to avoid a series whitewash.

    ‘We are always happy to win the series. You can never take wins or series win in international cricket for granted, so we have to be pleased with the way we have played and enjoy the moment. We are pretty happy with where we are at the moment,’ added Domingo.

    ‘We have been under pressure all year. We have had some tough series, so whether or not we are under pressure now or six months ago doesn’t matter too much for us. We have been under pressure in Australia, in Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, so it’s not that important for me at this stage.’

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    SA CRICKET