SA mustn’t miss the Faf trick

The loud screams to recall 38-year-old former cricket captain Faf du Plessis to the national team just won’t go away.

Du Plessis last played for the Proteas more than two years ago, but a rich vein of form in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) has once again thrown his name in the hat ahead of the 50-over World Cup in India this year and the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States next year.

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While he announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2021, Du Plessis says he is open for a return, while new Proteas white ball coach Rob Walter hasn’t ruled out the possibility.

For now, Du Plessis is just weighing in with the runs as captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Du Plessis is the IPL’s leading run-scorer with 702 runs at an average of 58.5 in 13 knocks.

His strike-rate is an impressive 153.94 and he’s scored eight half-centuries. Indian wicketkeeper and Bangalore teammate Dinesh Karthik said: “SA will be missing a trick if they don’t take him to the World Cup. He is somebody who can make a difference as a leader, as a batter. I genuinely wish Faf says yes, when SA asks him, because he will make an impact at that World Cup if he’s there.”

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He’s unlikely to feature in the 50-over format as he’s battling with a tennis elbow injury and he’ll be just shy of 40 at the 2024 T20 World Cup.

But an in-form Du Plessis can only benefit South Africa.