Behardien faces late fitness test ahead of WC opener

2015 World Cup

South Africa allrounder Farhaan Behardien is the only injury doubt as the Proteas gear up for their opening World Cup match, against Zimbabwe in Hamilton on Sunday.

Behardien has in recent days suffered from a stiff back and did not take a full part in both the Proteas official warm-up matches before the global tournament.

South Africa captain AB de Villiers said the Cape Town born player will face a late fitness test, but was confident he would come through it.

"I'm not 100 percent sure at the moment… We're still sort of testing it out. He had a nice bat today, went through that, and as we speak, he's going through his bowling fitness checkup, or fitness test.

"I think it's going to be okay. We're having a look tomorrow morning again."

Behardien holds an important, and troublesome, position in the Proteas line-up, batting at number seven and being asked to chip in with a few overs in the field, and management will think long and hard about the team composition if the Titans allrounder does not recover.

De Villiers added: "We obviously want to play him. It's an important position for us, that, but if he doesn't, we'll make a plan.

"If he's not fit then me and (coach) Russell (Domingo) will have to decide whether to play a frontline batsman at No 7, or an allrounder – or even a frontline bowler."

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