Faf finds ‘finishing’ tougher than expected
South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis says batting in the lower middle order for Chennai in the IPL is taking some getting used to, but he's happy to do what the coach and captain require of him.
Du Plessis bats at three or four for the Proteas, but for the Super Kings has been coming in much lower down, sometimes behind MS Dhoni. He's having to learn how to be a 'finisher', a role he's not done for his national side.
Du Plessis told iplt20.com: "My role is more of gelling the rest of the batting unit together. We have so many power-hitters and I am not necessarily one of them.
"I am a power-hitter when I am opening the batting but coming in at the latter stages and hitting is a different skill. I am not used to it but I am learning.
"My batting position is flexible in the team. If we lose wickets upfront, I go in at No. 4 and if we have a good opening partnership MS goes in ahead of me."
He did concede that he'd not be averse to moving back up the order, but was happy to have the chance to learn a new skill: "It is a new thing for me and something that I want to improve on.
"My whole life I have batted higher up the order and it is good for my game that I have been given an opportunity to learn how to finish games.
"I wouldn't mind going back up the order. But we have such an explosive opening pair now and they are doing a great job. I'll just do whatever the captain and the coach tell me to do, but opening the batting is nice."
Latest
-
NewsHow England’s players rated in their Test series against India
See how the England players rated during the series defeat.
-
NewsEngland storm to T20 series whitewash over New Zealand
Wicketkeeper Amy Jones completed three stumpings and Katherine Brunt took two for 19 in England’s 32-run victory.
-
NewsJoe Root promises England will learn lessons from India rout
An innings defeat in Ahmedabad rounded off a 3-1 series loss.
-
NewsIndia v England, day 3: Tourists left in a spin once again as series slips away
Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel continued their outright domination of England and helped seal a 3-1 series win.
-
NewsEngland left to lick their wounds as India condemn them to another defeat
Joe Root’s men had no answers.
-
NewsMore woe for England as India’s spin twins push hosts towards series victory
Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel claimed three wickets each as the tourists slumped to 91 for six at tea.
-
NewsEngland’s top order crumble once again as India take a firm grip on fourth Test
The tourists were reduced to 30 for four having conceded a first-innings lead of 160.
-
NewsIndia extends lead to 160 on third morning in Ahmedabad
While Washington Sundar was stranded on 96 not out, the hosts increased the pressure on England in the fourth Test.
-
NewsEngland accused of throwing Dom Bess ‘under the bus’
The spinner struggled on his return to the side.
-
NewsIndia v England, day 2: Ben Stokes efforts fail to turn tide in England’s favour
Rishabh Pant’s remarkable century and the folly of England’s imbalanced attack left India in full control.