Faf has no intention of quitting captaincy
South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis says he has no intention of giving up the T20 captaincy after the Proteas early exit from the World Twenty20, and also aims to be leading the side at the next event in 2019.
The Proteas failed to reach the knock out stage after defeats to England and the West Indies, prompting a review from Cricket South Africa, but Du Plessis insists the team is in good standing, despite this.
At 31, he feels he has plenty of time left in him, even though players like AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, and Imran Tahir are expected to let go of the format to prolong their Test careers.
Du Plessis said: "The wrong side of 30 would be over 35. I am 31. That's the right side of 30 and see myself playing a big role. I haven't thought of stopping playing T20 cricket. I feel my performances speak for themselves.
"I love captaining South Africa. I think some of the players, yes, won't be there in four years. But there won't be a lot of T20 cricket in the next while. So we can look at it in terms of a few younger guys coming through and building for the future.
"It's impossible to look four years ahead. It's an incredibly long time but for now I am loving playing T20 cricket and loving captaining South Africa."
As for the team, Du Plessis felt a few key moment going their way during the event would have changed things dramatically, and felt it was unfair to heap doom and gloom on the side while they were rebuilding in all formats.
He added: "The T20 side has been very successful of late. We didn't produce at an ICC tournament. The T20 World Cup is a tough one. Your easy game is supposed to be Afghanistan and they are just as good in these conditions.
"Our ODI side has also team has improved a lot. Two years ago we were in a bit of a hole and we rebuilt the side, now the Test side is there (needing to rebuild).
"In terms of ticking the boxes we had all areas covered. We had great variety in pace bowling. We had different combinations to play. We had great spin options, all round options. Everything was there.
"It was just a case of how to you deliver on the day when the pressure is on and that's the difference between winning a World Cup and getting knocked out."
Latest
-
NewsNew Zealand up the ante at Lord’s as England face a challenging target
The tourists are likely to declare at some point this afternoon to leave England the probability of batting to save the Test.
-
NewsRory Burns hails ‘special’ hundred in front of baby daughter
The England opener’s wife and five-month-old child Cora were at Lord’s to see him bat through the innings against New Zealand.
-
NewsOliver Hannon-Dalby takes Warwickshire top while Glamorgan beat Lancashire
Durham and Leicestershire also wrapped up victories on day three.
-
NewsTim Southee and Rory Burns take headlines while Ollie Robinson impresses again
Robinson has impacted his debut Test with bat and ball but there was no such good news for James Bracey or Dan Lawrence.
-
NewsRory Burns leads England resistance after Tim Southee burst at Lord’s
New Zealand seamer Southee had England in trouble with six for 43 but Burns’ century made the draw the favourite with a day remaining.
-
NewsNew Zealand have the edge in first Test despite Rory Burns century for England
Tim Southee’s six wickets gave the tourists the upper hand.
-
NewsTim Southee causes England to suffer middle-order collapse in first Test
Southee used his guile and a hint of movement to snare Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence and debutant James Bracey.
-
NewsDavid Bedingham ton puts Durham on top against Worcestershire
Dan Ibrahim is one of only two 16-year-old’s to score a half-century in the Championship.
-
NewsBlack Caps bowling coach Shane Jurgensen enjoying Root-De Grandhomme battle
De Grandhomme claimed the crucial wicket of Root in the 2019 World Cup final.
-
NewsReece Topley could miss large chunk of England’s summer limited-overs schedule
The left-arm seamer injured his right side playing for Surrey’s second team.