Faf du Plessis for Proteas? Return not ruled out despite Windies omission

The door on Faf du Plessis' white-ball career hasn't been completely closed, and Cricket South Africa's director of cricket Enoch Nkwe said discussions are ongoing with regards to a return to the white-ball ranks.

Proteas ODI and T20 coach Rob Walter, who made his first media appearance in his position on Monday, told News24 in January that a conversation with Du Plessis wasn't out of the question.

Du Plessis (38), a former Proteas all-format skipper, wasn't selected in both white-ball squads for the series against the West Indies later this month.

Walter, who was the strength and conditioning coach at the Titans in the mid-2000s before he moved to the Proteas in the same portfolio, saw Du Plessis develop at close quarters in both teams.

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Afrikaans Sunday broadsheet publication Rapport reported that Du Plessis has met with Walter, but Nkwe was quick to say the conversation with Du Plessis was a broader one with players who aren't in the national contracted-players group.

Du Plessis retired from Test cricket in 2021, but hasn't fully pulled out of white-ball cricket, with his performances, especially in the SA20, being of high value.  

"There were conversations before the World Cup with the then-coach and selection panel. We did conclude those negotiations," Nkwe said.

"We've always been open to talks with our freelance players and having spoken to coach Rob, he's very interested in resuming those conversations and seeing how best we can work together moving forward.

"We're happy to engage and see what the best way is forward."

While the ODI and T20 squads picked for the West Indies white-ball series for later this month have a mix of the