Faf du Plessis of South Africa won Man of the match during the 2020 Betway Test Series day4 match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Supersport Park, Centurion, on 29 December 2020 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Faf du Plessis the big-name casualty from Proteas contracted players list
Former skipper Faf du Plessis was a notable absentee from the list of players offered Proteas contracts by Cricket South Africa.
Faf du Plessis of South Africa won Man of the match during the 2020 Betway Test Series day4 match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Supersport Park, Centurion, on 29 December 2020 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Former skipper Faf du Plessis was a notable absentee from the list of players offered Proteas contracts by Cricket South Africa (CSA) for the 2021/22 season.
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CSA named 16 Proteas men’s players for an international programme that includes two ICC T20 World Cups in October and November of 2021 (India) and 2022 (Australia) along with a historic, full limited overs tour to Ireland in July of this year.
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Although Du Plessis has retired from Test cricket, he indicated a willingness to continue to represent South Africa at ODI and particularly T20 level.
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Therefore, with the next 12 months laden with white-ball cricket and very little in the way of five-day Tests, Du Plessis’ contract snub does come as something of a surprise.
There’s no doubting Du Plessis, if available, would be a shoo-in for selection for both limited over formats for the Proteas.
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He has averaged 67.83 in his last 19 ODIs and 33 in his last six T20 Internationals.
The 36-year-old could still feature on a “pay-for-play” basis and CSA have curiously left open a 17th contract which theoretically could still be awarded to Du Plessis.
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However, a simple chat with Du Plessis to gauge his availability would’ve cleared up that “open” position, unless the governing body has closed the door on his career.
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CSA contracted Proteas men’s players:
Temba Bavuma (Lions), Quinton de Kock (Titans), Dean Elgar (Titans), Beuran Hendricks (Lions), Reeza Hendricks (Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Titans), David Miller (Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Andile Phehlukwayo (Dolphins), Dwaine Pretorius (Lions), Kagiso Rabada (Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (Lions)
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