Former South African cricket captain Faf du Plessis has expressed his eagerness to return to international cricket. Having been absent from the Proteas team since 2021 and not participating in any international white-ball games since 2020, du Plessis is keen on rejoining the T20 side, especially with the World T20 approaching next year in the Caribbean.
Du Plessis is looking to be one of the first to benefit from Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) new hybrid contract system. This system aims to allow uncontracted players like him to participate in specific tournaments. While some may question the incentive for players to remain with the national team, this move by CSA is seen as an adaptation to the evolving landscape of modern cricket. In this era, players are increasingly participating in a growing number of T20 tournaments, offering them more flexibility.
Currently in the United Arab Emirates for the Abu Dhabi T10 tournament, du Plessis is recovering from an elbow injury. He hopes his performances in the SA20 and Indian Premier League will be sufficient for his selection to the national team.
Regarding his potential return, du Plessis shared, “I believe that I can return to international cricket. We’ve been discussing this for the past couple of years, mainly focusing on the balance for the T20 World Cup next year. It’s definitely something we’ve talked about with the new coach, Rob Walter.”
Rob Walter, the Proteas coach, confirmed du Plessis’s consideration for the team. He mentioned, “Given that some of our frontline bowlers are missing, and considering players like Faf (du Plessis), Rilee (Rossouw), and Quinny (de Kock) for the T20 World Cup, there’s room for discussion. Also, with the upcoming SA20, while 80 percent of the team is settled, there’s still a chance for others to make their case.”
Du Plessis also recognized the importance of maintaining his fitness, especially as he gets older. He emphasized his dedication to staying in top physical condition to compete with the best. “I put in a lot of hard work to look after my body, which is crucial for playing the game we love. As you age, it’s essential to keep up with the physical demands, or else parts like the hamstring won’t function as well. I focus on fast running and other activities to ensure I can perform at the highest level.”
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