Faf enjoys on-field rivalry with Australia

News

Cricket365
November 13, 2014

South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis says the rivalry between the Proteas and Australia is generally one that stays on the field, and that they enjoy facing the Aussies because of the competitive edge.

The sides will contest a five-match ODI series Down Under this month, and Du Plessis, who was rested for the T20s, is looking forward to the clash, saying they play similar games and that's why it's fun for him.

Faf said of the on-field 'banter': "That's the great thing about playing Australia, you expect that. We play a very similar style of cricket on the field. We're competitive, we like to get into each other's faces, that's just the way we play our cricket.

"Now and then there will be something that comes up but in terms of my own game I don't prepare any differently for an Australian series. I really enjoy batting against Australia, and I hope I can have a similar amount of success that I've had in the past.

"It's a great relationship. We play a similar brand, it's aggressive and competitive, but when you step off the field, I had a great time after the series in Zimbabwe after we beat them in the final when we sat after and had a beer together.

"There was a lot of respect for the two teams. It's just competitive, we want to do anything to win the game and so do they."

When asked about Dale Steyn's altercation with Michael Clarke earlier this year in Cape Town, after which Steyn said he had not forgiven the Aussie skipper for his 'personal' comments in the middle, Du Plessis played the rivalry down.

He said: "We don't spend any time talking about who is a target or who we don't like. It's just a case of playing Australia.

"They are a really good team, Dale is very competitive, he wants to get wickets, he is a fast bowler and he wants to bowl bouncers and bowl as quick as possible."