Faf not a confirmed starter for Lord's Test

Cape Town - Proteas star Faf du Plessis is not a confirmed starter for the opening Test between England and South Africa at Lord's next Thursday.

Du Plessis' wife Imari gave birth to the couple's first child on Thursday this week, suggesting Du Plessis would be free to start in the all-important opening Test - of four - at the home of cricket.

However, on Friday, Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed that it was still "uncertain" as to whether he will be back in time for the first Test as it was a "difficult birth" and Du Plessis would - understandably - only fly back to the UK once the baby and his wife were "settled".

The Proteas will be without regular skipper AB de Villiers who ruled himself out of the series back in January.

Should Du Plessis be sidelined, opener Dean Elgar will captain the team.

Our biggest blessing yet came in a small package.so very grateful ?????????? pic.twitter.com/Ib2TZy390X

— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) June 29, 2017