Faf du Plessis Sets Eyes on Fearless Cricket ahead of 2019 World Cup
Published - 11 Aug 2018, 02:06 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:54 PM
With the 2019 World Cup in sight, South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis feels things have started to fall in place for his side in ODI cricket.
Meanwhile, the Proteas are known to be the chokers in big tournaments. Despite possessing great talents over the years, they have never won a global white-ball tournament. Indeed, their quarter-final victory over Sri Lanka in the 2015 Cricket World Cup was their first-ever win in a knockout game.
However, after the series win against Sri Lanka, Faf du Plessis believes South Africa are close to nailing down an approach which could serve them in the 2019 World Cup.
“[There’s] a lot of emphasis on the way we play and how we want to play,” said du Plessis. “The vision myself and the coach [Ottis Gibson] have is all about how we are going to win the World Cup. I think you can see the guys are playing an exciting brand of cricket. There are a few young faces playing fearless cricket. To beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka three times in a row is no mean feat,” he added.
There are still a few months to go to the tournament, and Faf du Plessis believes the inexperienced players can work on this.
“There are still a few things that need to happen over the course of the next six months to a year. I see that as a great opportunity, especially for the younger guys,” he continues.
Faf du Plessis excited about Rabada, Ngidi
South Africa have a few exciting talents with Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, the most exciting of them. Faf du Plessis feels they are strike bowlers and can pick wickets with the new ball.
“I am really excited about our opening bowling combination: KG and Lungi. That’s very nice for us. They strike and they take wickets. There are some nice young batters coming through, which is putting pressure on the more experienced batters,” du Plessis notes.
In conclusion, Faf du Plessis admitted it would be a good opportunity for Quinton de Kock, who is leading the side in the absence of him to grow as a player with additional responsibilities.
