Friday 4 August 2017 08:46, UK
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis is determined to make a "big play" against England in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, starting on Friday, live on Sky Sports.
The tourists are looking to bounce back from their 239-run defeat at The Oval and level the series on a ground that Du Plessis knows well, having played for Lancashire nearly a decade ago.
"I'm very thankful for my time at Lancashire, I really enjoyed it, it played a big role in my journey to where I am today," he said. "It's really good to be back. I'm really motivated to make a big play in the next five days."
With rain falling on the eve of the match and conditions set to be overcast as they were at The Oval, South Africa know their batting will have to improve from the third Test.
Du Plessis joked: "It's good to see the weather is exactly the same as I left it.
"When it is like that, there is more in it for the bowlers. The ball does swing here and move around and we expect that, we have to deal with that."
The captain missed the 211-run defeat in the first Test due to the birth of his first child and has yet to hit top form with a highest score of 63 in the second Test at Trent Bridge. He was out for scores of one and nought at The Oval.
"I'm extremely hungry to make a play for the team in what is a big Test match," he added.
"England are a very good team at home, and to draw a series against them at home would be a hugely important thing for us."
