Proteas coach pins hopes on du Plessis for ODI series against India

Having Faf du Plessis in the squad is a good headache for South Africa to have ahead of the India ODI series starting March 12, feels head coach Mark Boucher.

Du Plessis last played an ODI for South Africa in the 2019 World Cup and was rested for the recent home series against England and Australia. During this period, he also quit the captaincy and handed the reigns to Quinton de Kock.

The right-handed batsman captained the Proteas 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 T20I series.

He and Rassie van der Dussen were recalled to the ODI squad for the three-match series in India beginning March 12 in Dharamshala.

“It’s a good headache to have. Just him being around the squad will add a lot of value and experience as well. We will look at the conditions and then put together the combinations.

“Why you would want to have Faf is because he has done really well in those (Indian) conditions,” Boucher said during the team’s pre-departure press conference.

Boucher also said that du Plessis’ experience will help in India. “If you go to a place like India, you need to find a balance between youth and experience.  I think Faf has done really well in ODI cricket for South Africa. The last time he played, he got a hundred. He knows the Indian conditions very well,” the former Proteas wicketkeeper said.

South Africa lost the T20 series 1-2 to Australia but blanked them 3-0 in the ODIs. “T20s are important this year given that we have the T20 World Cup. But in general, Proteas and Cricket South Africa (CSA) need to find ourselves growing.

“We have just beaten a very good team. We needed the confidence and it will certainly help,” Boucher said.

“India is going to be a tough test. Different conditions. A lot of guys haven’t played much cricket in India. What’s impressive is that the guys have responded to the messages we have sent out to them from batting and bowling perspectives,” he added.

Meanwhile, due to the coronavirus outbreak, South African cricketers could avoid the customary handshakes during their stay in India, Boucher said.

“With regards to handshakes and type of stuff that’s a concern, so it will probably be fine if we do the same if it comes to that. I think it’s a way to stop anything from happening to our guys,” Boucher added.

“I think it’s out of respect for players around you and not to pass on something that you might have,” the former Proteas wicketkeeper said.

Boucher said they have medical staff in place who are keeping a close eye on the developments and have briefed all players and support staff.

“We have a security staff and if we have medical concerns, we give it to them and they come up with recommendations. If they think it is too dangerous, they will pull us out.... We had a nice brief last night from medical staff about the virus going around, which is a major concern. We are not medical people and we don’t know medicine like they do. So we have taken their recommendations and I am sure they have put stuff in places that’s going to help us.”

As South Africa players mull avoiding the customary handshakes, the home team led by Virat Kohli is also leaving no stones unturned to ensure all precautionary measures.

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal on Tuesday posted a picture of him wearing a mask at the New Delhi airport on way to Dharamshala. Chahal shared his photo on Instagram.

Indo-Asian News service