South African captain Faf Du Plessis and top-order batsman Hashim Amla will miss the limited-over series against Zimbabwe due to injuries. While Amla has been rested due to a torn finger tendon, captain Plessis has been withdrawn to fully recover from a shoulder injury.
Dean Elgar, who has played only six ODIs for South Africa since his debut in 2012, has been called up as a replacement for Amla in the ODI squad, while JP Duminy will captain the side, for the three-match series starting in Kimberley on Sunday.
"Hashim sustained a tear to the tendon in his left fifth digit while fielding during the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League," team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee explained. "The injury will need up to three weeks to heal, making him unavailable for the series against Zimbabwe."
Du Plessis, who earlier had a surgery on his right shoulder in 2017, is recovering from his second shoulder injury in less than a year. It seems that the CSA medical committee wants him to make a satisfactory recovery so that he becomes fit enough to return to lead the South African team.
However, the absence of two senior players from the squad has given South Africa an opportunity to test their bench strength against a modest opponent, as the situation gives Elgar a chance to make strong claims for a batting spot in South Africa’s top order.