The 2023 Indian Premier League has reached its midway stage with Faf du Plessis leading the run-scorers charts. Photo: AFP
What the Faf: Robbie P suggest no Proteas room for Du Plessis
Leading scorer in the IPL, Faf du Plessis, wouldn’t make the Proteas if Robin Peterson was in charge following his recent remarks.
The 2023 Indian Premier League has reached its midway stage with Faf du Plessis leading the run-scorers charts. Photo: AFP
Leading scorer in the IPL, Faf du Plessis, wouldn’t make the Proteas if Robin Peterson was in charge following his recent remarks.
Former Proteas bowler Robin Peterson is a rare naysayer in the ongoing debate on whether Faf du Plessis should earn a Proteas recall.
“Who are you going to leave out if you choose Faf?” questioned Peterson, as reported by Rapport.
Peterson wouldn’t opt for Faf
“Look at the top order. You have Reeza Hendricks, who is on a great run, and Quinton de Kock, who is a match winner. Rilee Rossouw is erratic, but he bats fast and can swing a game in the blink of an eye.”
Du Plessis scored 55 off 44 balls against the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL on Sunday. The former Proteas captain is the leading run-scorer with 631 in 12 matches.
Du Plessis is currently batting at a strike rate of 154.27.
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The next T20 World Cup will take place in June 2024 in the West Indies and the USA.
Du Plessis has not added to his caps at international level since 2021.
Faf showed his class – despite his advancing years – during the recent SA20 where he ended second on the run scorers list while playing for the Joburg Super Kings.
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He was not needed for either of the World Cups in 2021 or 2022 when former wicketkeeper Mark Boucher was in charge of the Proteas.
IS DU PLESSIS STILL GOOD ENOUGH?
Du Plessis and Walter discussed his availability and whether he was still good enough at the age of 38.
“I wanted to know from Rob if I was really in their plans, because there are a lot of other guys who are also really good,” he said.
“I think we can field a good team to push to win something. I’m still hungry to do it. That’s why I still play so much cricket.”
The 2023 ODI World Cup takes place in India during October and November.
The 2024 T20 World Cup will be played in the West Indies and the USA in June.
“When I was captain [of the Proteas], there was a big drive for me to do something special, on and off the field,” added Du Plessis.
“The thing now will be to win a World Cup for South Africa. There is nothing bigger that anyone would want from us. That will be the only reason I come back. I want to win something.”
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Most recent Proteas T20 squad
Aiden Markram (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sisanda Magala (DP World Lions), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Dafabet Warriors), Wayne Parnell (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Rilee Rossouw (ITEC Knights), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tristan Stubbs (Gbets Warriors).
