No need to rush Proteas vice-captaincy, says Craig Matthews

The Proteas’ selection panel have an important yet pleasant first order of business in 2017: appointing Faf du Plessis’ deputy.

Linda Zondi, convenor of selectors, stated a few weeks back that the issue would be debated thoroughly this month before a full-time candidate is recommended.

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South Africa have started the Test series against Sri Lanka without an official vice-captain but Craig Matthews, a former Proteas seamer and national selector, believes that’s not an issue.

“I think some people underestimate how important that role is,” said Matthews, who was the late Hansie Cronje’s right-hand man in the mid-1990’s.

“This is the guy that becomes the captain’s right-hand man. It’s not merely a title.”

Much like personal relationships in general, the theory behind an effective captaincy combo is that opposites attract.

“I certainly believe in that,” said Matthews.

“A vice-captain should complement his skipper, I’m not sure it’s necessarily a good idea to have two players who have the same approach to cricket.

“You want a guy who has a different view on matters, because then a side tends to combine its decision-making ability to the best of its potential.”

Given that Du Plessis’ captaincy style is more about smart tactical leadership and remaining calm, the winning recipe might be picking a bit more of a free-spirited deputy.

But is it really as simple as that?

“Faf is an interesting captain. He always looks in control but there’s a hard-nosed and adventurous streak too. We saw it in Australia,” said Matthews.

“Yet my gut feel is his deputy needs to be a bit more brash.”

A guy like Dean Elgar, the Proteas’ gritty opener, would seem to be a viable candidate as he’s established himself as a senior player and also has captaincy experience.

Matthews, however, feels that when a player is eventually appointed, he shouldn’t immediately deputise for Du Plessis if he’s absent.

“It’s a common mistake that’s made,” he said.

“You want your new vice-captain to settle into his new role and not shoulder him with the extra responsibility of the captain.

“If Faf is absent for whatever reason, I’d rather have Hashim Amla or AB de Villiers lead temporarily until the new vice-captain is more experienced.”

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