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Cape Town – David Miller has recovered well from a groin strain and could even feature in Wednesday’s final ODI against Australia in Cape Town.
Miller batted for the majority of his 118* match-winning innings in the third ODI in Durban last week with the injury.
Proteas coach Russell Domingo confirmed after that match that Miller faced a “couple of weeks” on the sidelines, but the news from captain Faf du Plessis on Tuesday was much more positive.
“Everyone is fit, which is great,” Du Plessis said.
“Even David Miller looks like he might play.
“It gives the opportunity of once again looking at playing as strong an 11 as we can.”
If Miller did return, then it would likely be a straight swap for Farhaan Behardien.
Selection becomes more interesting in the bowling department.
Kyle Abbott took his only opportunity of the series in the fourth ODI with a return of 4/40 in Port Elizabeth.
“Kyle really put up his hand in the previous game and it’s always difficult to leave a guy like that out when he’s put a performance in like that,” Du Plessis said.
Both Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada were rested from that match, which saw the Proteas opt for two specialist spinners in Tabraiz Shamsi (3/36) and Aaron Phangiso (2/17).
Then there is also Imran Tahir, who was rested in PE.
It all makes for an interesting team selection for Wednesday.
“We haven’t selected the team. We want to see what the weather is going to do tomorrow before deciding whether we want to play an extra spinner or not,” Du Plessis said.
With Shamsi also a part of the Test squad that will tour Australia next month, the Proteas might also be looking to keep him as much of an unknown entity as possible ahead of that series.
Shamsi, Du Plessis said, was also battling a quad niggle, which will help make that selection a little easier.
