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'Sick' Amla should be fine - Faf

Cape Town - Proteas captain Faf du Plessis expects opener Hashim Amla to be fit and ready to take part in the first ODI against Australia at Centurion on Friday. 

Du Plessis, standing in for the injured AB de Villiers, confirmed to media on Thursday that the 33-year-old Amla had not been feeling well, but that he was expected to be fine by the time the first of five clashes against the Aussies got underway. 

"Hash is a little bit sick today. It’s a rest day for him but I’m about 99% sure he’ll be fine," Du Plessis said.

"Tonight we’ll make the final decision on the team. I’ve got an idea in my head but I’d like to keep it in my head for now. We’ve got a nice, balanced squad so there is a lot to choose from." 

The Proteas have three spinners in their squad - Imran Tahir, Aaron Phangiso and Tabraiz Shamsi - and Du Plessis said he saw a role for spin on what he expects to be flat wickets for the first two ODIs on the highveld. 

"Pretoria and Wanderers are generally wickets that don’t offer too much spin but there is always a role for the spinner to contain the game," said Du Plessis.

"I definitely see a spinner playing … as a holding role and then you can pick up wickets." 

Play on Friday starts at 13:30.

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