braailekker11
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Test cricket is still alive and kicking in India/UK/Australia.
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The Proteas - Our Team!
- Thread starter MickeyD
- Start date
Test cricket is still alive and kicking in India/UK/Australia.
Media Advisory: Released Proteas recalled for final Test match
Monday, 20 January 2020
Four of the five released Standard Bank Proteas have been called back into the camp ahead of the fourth and final Test match at the Imperial Wanderers starting on 24 January 2020.
Temba Bavuma, Beuran Hendricks, Keegan Petersen and Andile Phehlukwayo will join the team in Johannesburg on 21 January and will therefore be unavailable for selection for the next round of the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Domestic Franchise Four-Day Series. Rudi Second will remain with the Warriors.
The players return to bolster the selectors’ options ahead of the final encounter.
Standard Bank Proteas Test squad: Faf du Plessis (Momentum Multiply Titans, capt), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dean Elgar (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), Pieter Malan (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Zubayr Hamza (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Dane Paterson (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Vernon Philander (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Dwaine Pretorius (Imperial Lions), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Keegan Petersen (VKB Knights).
Monday, 20 January 2020
Four of the five released Standard Bank Proteas have been called back into the camp ahead of the fourth and final Test match at the Imperial Wanderers starting on 24 January 2020.
Temba Bavuma, Beuran Hendricks, Keegan Petersen and Andile Phehlukwayo will join the team in Johannesburg on 21 January and will therefore be unavailable for selection for the next round of the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Domestic Franchise Four-Day Series. Rudi Second will remain with the Warriors.
The players return to bolster the selectors’ options ahead of the final encounter.
Standard Bank Proteas Test squad: Faf du Plessis (Momentum Multiply Titans, capt), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dean Elgar (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), Pieter Malan (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Zubayr Hamza (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Dane Paterson (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Vernon Philander (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Dwaine Pretorius (Imperial Lions), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Keegan Petersen (VKB Knights).
ShloshMalosh
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All change and no change in South African cricket
Race and class dynamics continue to dominate the sport while Cricket South Africa still has no discernible plan to transform the game and promote black players.
www.newframe.com
Good read
CSA name De Kock as Proteas ODI captain & announce ODI squad to play England
Tuesday, 21 January 2020
Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to name Quinton de Kock as the new Standard Bank Proteas One-Day International captain.
He made his international debut in December 2012 after an impressive showing at that year’s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Australia and was called up into the ODI squad just a short month later.
The 27-year-old wicket-keeper batsman boasts 115 ODI caps with 4 907 runs. An exciting talent from the beginning, De Kock has been one of South Africa’s standout and most consistent batsmen for several seasons with an ODI average of 45.01, 14 centuries, 24 half-centuries and a high score of 178 (off 113 balls, 16x4, 11x6s) which he made against Australia at SuperSport Park in September 2016.
CSA Acting Director of Cricket Graeme Smith commented;
“We all know the quality of the player that Quinton de Kock has grown to become. Over the years, we have watched him grow in confidence and become one of the top ODI wicket-keeper batsmen in the world. He has a unique outlook and manner in which he goes about his business and is tactically very street smart. We are confident that the new leadership role will bring out the best in him as a cricketer and that he can take the team forward into the future and produce results that South Africans the world over can be very proud of. We wish him the very best in this new role and look forward to watching him make his mark in this series against the World Cup Champions.”
With two weeks to go until the start of the ODI series against the reigning ICC World Cup Champions, CSA is delighted to also announce the following players who will make up the 15-man squad:
Quinton de Kock (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Reeza Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jon Jon Smuts (Warriors), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lutho Sipamla (Warriors), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sisanda Magala (Warriors), Bjorn Fortuin (Imperial Lions), Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Janneman Malan (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras).
It is a young and exciting squad that boasts the cream of the South African domestic set-up’s crop. It is with great pride that the selectors have identified five players who are receiving an ODI call-up for the very first time, they are; Lutho Sipamla, Sisanda Magala, Bjorn Fortuin, Janneman Malan and Kyle Verreynne. CSA endeavours to reward consistently good performances and saw this series as an opportunity to reward youngsters who have excelled in the domestic structures for some time, while giving senior members of the Proteas team a rest in the heavily scheduled international season that faces them.
Four of the named players’ selection is dependent on their passing a fitness test as they work in the CSA Centre of Excellence in Pretoria to be match ready by the time the team meets in Cape Town on 31 January. Those players are Lungi Ngidi (who is making a comeback from injury), Sisanda Magala, Tabraiz Shamsi and Jon Jon Smuts.
CSA Independent Selector Linda Zondi said;
“We are really pleased with the squad we have selected, it is a good indication of the depth that we have in the country. The road towards the 2023 Cricket World Cup starts now and we want players doing well in our domestic structures to see the rewards of the hard work that they have put in. The pool that we build going forward is going to be vital in the selection of that 2023 World Cup squad but also without looking too far ahead, we are confident that we have players that will make South Africa proud in this ODI series against a confident England team.”
Mr Zondi will be available for interviews over the phone for the remainder of the day until 18:00 on +27 71 869 7510.
ODI Series Itinerary
February 2020
Tue 04 DN 1st. ODI Newlands, Cape Town
Fri 07 DN 2nd. ODI Kingsmead, Durban
Sun 09 Day 3rd. ODI Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Tuesday, 21 January 2020
Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to name Quinton de Kock as the new Standard Bank Proteas One-Day International captain.
He made his international debut in December 2012 after an impressive showing at that year’s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Australia and was called up into the ODI squad just a short month later.
The 27-year-old wicket-keeper batsman boasts 115 ODI caps with 4 907 runs. An exciting talent from the beginning, De Kock has been one of South Africa’s standout and most consistent batsmen for several seasons with an ODI average of 45.01, 14 centuries, 24 half-centuries and a high score of 178 (off 113 balls, 16x4, 11x6s) which he made against Australia at SuperSport Park in September 2016.
CSA Acting Director of Cricket Graeme Smith commented;
“We all know the quality of the player that Quinton de Kock has grown to become. Over the years, we have watched him grow in confidence and become one of the top ODI wicket-keeper batsmen in the world. He has a unique outlook and manner in which he goes about his business and is tactically very street smart. We are confident that the new leadership role will bring out the best in him as a cricketer and that he can take the team forward into the future and produce results that South Africans the world over can be very proud of. We wish him the very best in this new role and look forward to watching him make his mark in this series against the World Cup Champions.”
With two weeks to go until the start of the ODI series against the reigning ICC World Cup Champions, CSA is delighted to also announce the following players who will make up the 15-man squad:
Quinton de Kock (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Reeza Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jon Jon Smuts (Warriors), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lutho Sipamla (Warriors), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sisanda Magala (Warriors), Bjorn Fortuin (Imperial Lions), Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Janneman Malan (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras).
It is a young and exciting squad that boasts the cream of the South African domestic set-up’s crop. It is with great pride that the selectors have identified five players who are receiving an ODI call-up for the very first time, they are; Lutho Sipamla, Sisanda Magala, Bjorn Fortuin, Janneman Malan and Kyle Verreynne. CSA endeavours to reward consistently good performances and saw this series as an opportunity to reward youngsters who have excelled in the domestic structures for some time, while giving senior members of the Proteas team a rest in the heavily scheduled international season that faces them.
Four of the named players’ selection is dependent on their passing a fitness test as they work in the CSA Centre of Excellence in Pretoria to be match ready by the time the team meets in Cape Town on 31 January. Those players are Lungi Ngidi (who is making a comeback from injury), Sisanda Magala, Tabraiz Shamsi and Jon Jon Smuts.
CSA Independent Selector Linda Zondi said;
“We are really pleased with the squad we have selected, it is a good indication of the depth that we have in the country. The road towards the 2023 Cricket World Cup starts now and we want players doing well in our domestic structures to see the rewards of the hard work that they have put in. The pool that we build going forward is going to be vital in the selection of that 2023 World Cup squad but also without looking too far ahead, we are confident that we have players that will make South Africa proud in this ODI series against a confident England team.”
Mr Zondi will be available for interviews over the phone for the remainder of the day until 18:00 on +27 71 869 7510.
ODI Series Itinerary
February 2020
Tue 04 DN 1st. ODI Newlands, Cape Town
Fri 07 DN 2nd. ODI Kingsmead, Durban
Sun 09 Day 3rd. ODI Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
If QdK is captain, they've really got to pick Verreynne and give him the gloves.
Rabada needs a rest. Faf can earn his way back by weight of runs.
modern10
Expert Member
He has. I was just kidding - I don't know but I somehow got the notion he was slowing down in whiteball cricket (also skipped the T20i matches in India).
Polymathic
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I think each and every one of those okes have had a kak year and must be burned out. Worst for Rabada and QdK because they're world class players surrounded by clowns.
He is retiring after the T20 world cup, time to build a team for the next world cup.
ShloshMalosh
Executive Member
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- Jul 14, 2014
- Messages
- 6,630
- Reaction score
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Hes a bit young and has to still refine his glovework,
Then again, getting him in early under boucher's guidance cant hurt.
That being said, I have a feeling QDK will give up the gloves for Kyle
sand_man
Honorary Master
SA ladies beat NZ by 7 wickets in the first odi, in NZ. Very good result. Lizelle Lee 99 (99), how unlucky is that? Laura Wolfaard 91 (124)*....
De Kock to captain Proteas T20 squad, Steyn returns as Magala and Van Biljon receive maiden T20 international call-ups
Saturday, 08 February 2020
Quinton de Kock has been named captain of the Standard Bank Proteas T20 squad that will take on England in the three-match KFC T20 international series from 12 to 16 February 2020. Included in the team is the experienced Dale Steyn who returns to international cricket after nearly a year’s absence having fully recovered from a recurring shoulder injury. The squad is capped off with the maiden call-ups of VKB Knights batsman, Pite van Biljon and Warriors seamer, Sisanda Magala.
Magala’s selection is conditional upon the passing of a fitness test that he will have to take ahead of the first match in East London next week.
Bloemfontein born, thirty-three-year-old Van Biljon impressed selectors with stand-out performances over the last 24 months in the Cricket South Africa (CSA) T20 Domestic League, the Africa T20 Cup and Mzansi Super League. He averaged 48.00 in his seven innings of the 2019 instalment of the latter League, finishing fifth in the tournament’s Highest Averages list and a strike rate of 139.13.
Steyn’s last appearance for South Africa was in March 2019 against Sri Lanka in Centurion.
The selectors have also opted to extend the rest period of Faf du Plessis and Kagiso Rabada, who will officially take no further part in the remainder of England’s tour to South Africa.
CSA Acting Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith said;
“We are pleased with the group that we have selected for this upcoming T20 series against England. We have once again taken the opportunity to reward some of the hard workers of our domestic franchise system while some of our key senior players continue with their much-needed rest period and we have again, put our faith in Quinton (de Kock) to lead this group of exciting cricketers, picking up where he left off in India where he showed exemplary leadership.
“England have of course announced a competitive team and we are comfortable that we have the squad that can take them on and return positive results.
“With a T20 World Cup not too far away, we have begun the process of identifying several players whom we will be looking at over a period of time and hope that by the time September comes along, we will have the best possible squad of 15 representing South Africa.”
Independent Selector, Linda Zondi commented;
“The squad we have selected is a good indicator of the talent that we boast in our country. CSA believes in rewarding hard work and consistently good performances that have been put in by players over a period of time. This is why we are thrilled to include Sisanda Magala and Pite van Biljon to the T20 squad as we go about our search for that T20 World Cup 15. Both have been outstanding for their respective franchise teams in the past and we are keen to see how they do against an imposing English side.
“We are also pleased to give extended opportunities to players who have performed well within the national team as our show of commitment to them.”
Standard Bank Proteas T20 squad:
Quinton de Kock (captain, wicketkeeper, Momentum Multiply Titans), Reeza Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Pite van Biljon (VKB Knights), Dwaine Pretorius (Imperial Lions), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jon-Jon Smuts (Warriors), Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sisanda Magala (Warriors), Bjorn Fortuin (Imperial Lions), Dale Steyn (Momentum Multiply Titans), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans).
KFC T20 Series Itinerary
February 2020
Wed 12 DN 1st. KFC T20I Buffalo Park, East London
Fri 14 DN 2nd. KFC T20I Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban
Sun 16 Day 3rd. KFC T20I SuperSport Park, Centurion
ENDS
Saturday, 08 February 2020
Quinton de Kock has been named captain of the Standard Bank Proteas T20 squad that will take on England in the three-match KFC T20 international series from 12 to 16 February 2020. Included in the team is the experienced Dale Steyn who returns to international cricket after nearly a year’s absence having fully recovered from a recurring shoulder injury. The squad is capped off with the maiden call-ups of VKB Knights batsman, Pite van Biljon and Warriors seamer, Sisanda Magala.
Magala’s selection is conditional upon the passing of a fitness test that he will have to take ahead of the first match in East London next week.
Bloemfontein born, thirty-three-year-old Van Biljon impressed selectors with stand-out performances over the last 24 months in the Cricket South Africa (CSA) T20 Domestic League, the Africa T20 Cup and Mzansi Super League. He averaged 48.00 in his seven innings of the 2019 instalment of the latter League, finishing fifth in the tournament’s Highest Averages list and a strike rate of 139.13.
Steyn’s last appearance for South Africa was in March 2019 against Sri Lanka in Centurion.
The selectors have also opted to extend the rest period of Faf du Plessis and Kagiso Rabada, who will officially take no further part in the remainder of England’s tour to South Africa.
CSA Acting Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith said;
“We are pleased with the group that we have selected for this upcoming T20 series against England. We have once again taken the opportunity to reward some of the hard workers of our domestic franchise system while some of our key senior players continue with their much-needed rest period and we have again, put our faith in Quinton (de Kock) to lead this group of exciting cricketers, picking up where he left off in India where he showed exemplary leadership.
“England have of course announced a competitive team and we are comfortable that we have the squad that can take them on and return positive results.
“With a T20 World Cup not too far away, we have begun the process of identifying several players whom we will be looking at over a period of time and hope that by the time September comes along, we will have the best possible squad of 15 representing South Africa.”
Independent Selector, Linda Zondi commented;
“The squad we have selected is a good indicator of the talent that we boast in our country. CSA believes in rewarding hard work and consistently good performances that have been put in by players over a period of time. This is why we are thrilled to include Sisanda Magala and Pite van Biljon to the T20 squad as we go about our search for that T20 World Cup 15. Both have been outstanding for their respective franchise teams in the past and we are keen to see how they do against an imposing English side.
“We are also pleased to give extended opportunities to players who have performed well within the national team as our show of commitment to them.”
Standard Bank Proteas T20 squad:
Quinton de Kock (captain, wicketkeeper, Momentum Multiply Titans), Reeza Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Pite van Biljon (VKB Knights), Dwaine Pretorius (Imperial Lions), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jon-Jon Smuts (Warriors), Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sisanda Magala (Warriors), Bjorn Fortuin (Imperial Lions), Dale Steyn (Momentum Multiply Titans), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans).
KFC T20 Series Itinerary
February 2020
Wed 12 DN 1st. KFC T20I Buffalo Park, East London
Fri 14 DN 2nd. KFC T20I Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban
Sun 16 Day 3rd. KFC T20I SuperSport Park, Centurion
ENDS
CSA president Chris Nenzani survives attempt to remove him
Cricbuzz understands that the bid was led by Gauteng with support from Western Province and KwaZulu-Natal
www.cricbuzz.com
D o o s Nenzani still hanging on.
Du Plessis steps down from Proteas captaincy in all formats
Monday, 17 February 2020
Faf du Plessis has announced that he is stepping down from his role as captain of the Standard Bank Proteas’ Test and T20 teams effective immediately.
The 35-year-old has cited a need to take a step back from captaincy in order to help facilitate the emergence of the next generation of leaders within the team under the new stewardship of Quinton de Kock. With a calendar that is jam packed with international tours both home and away, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia this October and November, Du Plessis would like to concentrate on contributing to the team as a batsman and senior player who will offer guidance and advice to the new leadership group as part of their succession planning.
Du Plessis has captained South Africa in a total of 112 international matches across all three formats since December 2012 when he led South Africa for the very first time against New Zealand in a T20 series. The hosts won that three-match contest 2-1. Since then, he has scored 5 101 runs in all formats as captain amassing 11 centuries and 28 half-centuries as he went. He led the Proteas in several famous victories, including the team’s five-nil inbound ODI series and 2-1 outbound Test series victories against Australia in 2016.
His statement is as follows;
“The last few weeks of rest away from the game have given me a lot of perspective on the great privilege and honour I have had in representing and leading my country in the three formats of this wonderful game. It has been a rewarding, sometimes tough and other times a lonely road, but I would not replace the experience for anything, because it has made me the man that I am proud to be today.
“When I took over the leadership, I did so with the commitment to lead, perform and most importantly, to serve. As the team heads into a new direction with new leaders and a young crop of players, I feel it will be in the best interests of South African cricket to relinquish the captaincy in all formats. This was one of the toughest decisions to make, but I remain fully committed to supporting Quinton, Mark and my teammates as we continue to rebuild and re-align as a group.
“After the 2019 ICC World Cup, I made the decision to continue in my role as captain while the team went through a rebuilding phase following the retirement of some key senior players and a complete overhaul of the coaching staff that we had worked with until then. It was important to me that I stayed to help the team find its feet and plot a new way forward while assisting in identifying the next generation of leaders within the players’ group during a time of turbulence in SA cricket. The last season of my captaincy has been the most challenging to date as I had a lot of off-field issues that I devoted my energy towards.
“I have strived to lead the team with dignity and authenticity during exhilarating highs and devastating lows. I have given my everything during my tenure. I have never been one to throw in the towel and do believe I am putting the team first and believe we have to stick through the tough times to get to the good times. In a perfect world I would have loved to lead the team in the Tests for the rest of the season as well as the T20 World Cup, but sometimes the most important attribute of a leader is to be selfless. I am healthy, fit, energised and motivated and certainly see myself playing an important role in the squad for as long as I continue putting in winning performances for the team.
“South African cricket has entered a new era. New leadership, new faces, new challenges and new strategies. I remain committed to play in all three formats of the game for now as a player and will offer my knowledge and time to the new leaders of the team.
“Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported me in my captaincy throughout the years – my wife and daughter, family, teammates, Proteas coaching staff, management and selectors, CSA Board and staff, friends and fans of South African cricket. It has been the greatest honour of my life to lead my country.”
CSA Acting CEO, Dr Jacques Faul expressed his thanks to Du Plessis for his contribution to South African cricket and his stellar leadership of the Proteas.
“Faf’s record as player and captain speaks for itself,” commented Dr. Faul. “He has maintained the high standards he set for himself when he made a match-saving Test match century in Australia on debut in spite of the added responsibilities and pressures that come with leadership.
“He is the only South African captain to have won home and away series against Australia – one of the benchmark nations of the game – in both Test match and ODI cricket and he also won a one-off T20 International series in Australia.
“He has always reserved his best performances for when the team’s need was the greatest as witnessed by his debut century in Australia, his century against India at the Imperial Wanderers that almost enabled the Proteas to pull off a record fourth innings runs chase and his century as captain in the pink ball Test at Adelaide when he was under enormous pressure both on and off the field.
“His latest decision reminds us all of the manner in which he has always put the team first. Following the retirement of Vernon Philander he and Dale Steyn are the last survivors of the golden generation that took the Proteas to the top of the Test rankings and he still has a vital role to play as we bridge the gap between one generation and the next.
“I am sure he will continue to add much value to the Proteas both on the field and in the dressing room in the final chapter of his outstanding career,” concluded Dr. Faul.
ENDS
Monday, 17 February 2020
Faf du Plessis has announced that he is stepping down from his role as captain of the Standard Bank Proteas’ Test and T20 teams effective immediately.
The 35-year-old has cited a need to take a step back from captaincy in order to help facilitate the emergence of the next generation of leaders within the team under the new stewardship of Quinton de Kock. With a calendar that is jam packed with international tours both home and away, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia this October and November, Du Plessis would like to concentrate on contributing to the team as a batsman and senior player who will offer guidance and advice to the new leadership group as part of their succession planning.
Du Plessis has captained South Africa in a total of 112 international matches across all three formats since December 2012 when he led South Africa for the very first time against New Zealand in a T20 series. The hosts won that three-match contest 2-1. Since then, he has scored 5 101 runs in all formats as captain amassing 11 centuries and 28 half-centuries as he went. He led the Proteas in several famous victories, including the team’s five-nil inbound ODI series and 2-1 outbound Test series victories against Australia in 2016.
His statement is as follows;
“The last few weeks of rest away from the game have given me a lot of perspective on the great privilege and honour I have had in representing and leading my country in the three formats of this wonderful game. It has been a rewarding, sometimes tough and other times a lonely road, but I would not replace the experience for anything, because it has made me the man that I am proud to be today.
“When I took over the leadership, I did so with the commitment to lead, perform and most importantly, to serve. As the team heads into a new direction with new leaders and a young crop of players, I feel it will be in the best interests of South African cricket to relinquish the captaincy in all formats. This was one of the toughest decisions to make, but I remain fully committed to supporting Quinton, Mark and my teammates as we continue to rebuild and re-align as a group.
“After the 2019 ICC World Cup, I made the decision to continue in my role as captain while the team went through a rebuilding phase following the retirement of some key senior players and a complete overhaul of the coaching staff that we had worked with until then. It was important to me that I stayed to help the team find its feet and plot a new way forward while assisting in identifying the next generation of leaders within the players’ group during a time of turbulence in SA cricket. The last season of my captaincy has been the most challenging to date as I had a lot of off-field issues that I devoted my energy towards.
“I have strived to lead the team with dignity and authenticity during exhilarating highs and devastating lows. I have given my everything during my tenure. I have never been one to throw in the towel and do believe I am putting the team first and believe we have to stick through the tough times to get to the good times. In a perfect world I would have loved to lead the team in the Tests for the rest of the season as well as the T20 World Cup, but sometimes the most important attribute of a leader is to be selfless. I am healthy, fit, energised and motivated and certainly see myself playing an important role in the squad for as long as I continue putting in winning performances for the team.
“South African cricket has entered a new era. New leadership, new faces, new challenges and new strategies. I remain committed to play in all three formats of the game for now as a player and will offer my knowledge and time to the new leaders of the team.
“Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported me in my captaincy throughout the years – my wife and daughter, family, teammates, Proteas coaching staff, management and selectors, CSA Board and staff, friends and fans of South African cricket. It has been the greatest honour of my life to lead my country.”
CSA Acting CEO, Dr Jacques Faul expressed his thanks to Du Plessis for his contribution to South African cricket and his stellar leadership of the Proteas.
“Faf’s record as player and captain speaks for itself,” commented Dr. Faul. “He has maintained the high standards he set for himself when he made a match-saving Test match century in Australia on debut in spite of the added responsibilities and pressures that come with leadership.
“He is the only South African captain to have won home and away series against Australia – one of the benchmark nations of the game – in both Test match and ODI cricket and he also won a one-off T20 International series in Australia.
“He has always reserved his best performances for when the team’s need was the greatest as witnessed by his debut century in Australia, his century against India at the Imperial Wanderers that almost enabled the Proteas to pull off a record fourth innings runs chase and his century as captain in the pink ball Test at Adelaide when he was under enormous pressure both on and off the field.
“His latest decision reminds us all of the manner in which he has always put the team first. Following the retirement of Vernon Philander he and Dale Steyn are the last survivors of the golden generation that took the Proteas to the top of the Test rankings and he still has a vital role to play as we bridge the gap between one generation and the next.
“I am sure he will continue to add much value to the Proteas both on the field and in the dressing room in the final chapter of his outstanding career,” concluded Dr. Faul.
ENDS