Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis is contemplating a return to international cricket, eyeing participation in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Absent from international matches since 2021’s Pakistan Test and a 2020 T20I against England, former South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis is contemplating a return, eyeing the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Despite being absent from the international arena, he has showcased impressive form in domestic leagues. Notably, he excelled in the Indian Premier League, ranking second in runs scored, tallying 730 runs in 14 innings for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Du Plessis, presently in Abu Dhabi for a domestic tournament, revealed ongoing discussions with South Africa’s new white-ball coach, Rob Walter, regarding a potential return to international cricket. The focus remains on striking a balance for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.
Although du Plessis led South Africa in the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups, he was not considered for the recent editions, despite not formally retiring.
“I believe that I can return to international cricket. We have been speaking about this for the last couple of years. It’s just figuring out the balance of the T20 World Cup next year. It’s certainly something we have spoken about with the new coach,” du Plessis said.
Although the 39-year-old lacks a central contract with South Africa, he boasts 23 international centuries and remains confident in his ability to return to cricket for his nation. He emphasized diligent body maintenance, acknowledging the importance of hard work, especially as age sets in.
“I do a lot of hard work to ensure I look after my body to be able to play this brilliant game we love so much. When you do get a little bit older, you have to make sure you put in the work. Otherwise, the hamstring and other body parts do not work that well. There is a lot of fast running and a lot of stuff to make sure that level where you can play against the best players in the world,” he added.
Last Updated on December 6, 2023
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