'Expectant father' Du Plessis in race against time for Lord's Test

South Africa Test skipper Faf du Plessis is likely to miss the opening Test of the four-match series against England at Lord's owing to the birth of his first child.

Du Plessis is awaiting the arrival of his first child, who is expected in the first week of July, and with his wife Imari choosing a natural birth, there is no speeding up the due date.

The Proteas' Test captain, made a quick dart to London on Monday, and said, "I'm pretty nervous, to be honest."

"It's now just a count-down for when the baby comes. My wife is pretty certain that she wants to go the normal route so that takes longer," ESPNcricinfo quoted him as saying.

"It now becomes a race for the first Test match," he added.

If he is not able to make it back in time for the Test beginning July 6, the Proteas will be without a captain and a senior batsman.

It is speculated that Theunis de Bruyn, who played in Hamilton and is a regular No. 3, will fill in the void in his absence. However, it will be very tricky as to who would lead the team.

AB de Villiers, who will lead the side in the T20I series, has confirmed that he will not be persuaded to stay on for longer after opting out of the entire Test series to manage his workload.

Veteran batsman Hashim Amla, who stepped down from captaincy in January last year, could, however, be roped in to take the responsibility on a make-shift basis.

In case he also declines, the selectors could consider JP Duminy or Dean Elgar as options.