This is the most complete we have been in a series, says Faf du Plessis

Team South Africa has had a dream run at home this summer in the Test cricket. They beat India 2-1 and then registered a historic 3-1 win over Australia recently. The South African skipper Faf du Plessis looked mighty pleased with the efforts of his team in the season. However, it is worth noting that the team does not have too many Tests to play in the year to follow.

They are due to play Tests in Sri Lanka, and then play against Pakistan and Sri Lanka(again) next season. In addition to this, they will play a one off Test against Zimbabwe. Thus, in all likelihood, the recent Australia series was potentially the last big series when the fans got to see the big names of Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, and Hashim Amla together.

Morkel has already retired and the others are expected to retire soon after the ICC World Cup 2019. Speaking about the same, as per the quotes in Sport24, Faf du Plessis remarked that the team is taking one series at a time. He added that on the personal front, he will try push as much as possible.

“I think it’s something that we can only decide in time. There has been a lot of talk about 2019 and the World Cup, but the last year has moved so quickly and now we’re a year away from the World Cup. All of us are in a similar boat where we’re just taking it series by series and if the hunger is still there, from my perspective, I’ll try and push for as long as I can,” Faf du Plessis quoted.

On the team performance

Having said that, du Plessis added on the same note citing the positives. He admitted that the big players are moving out or retiring. However, at the same time, there are young guns who are stepping up. Also, they are adding depth to the team. The South African skipper looked very impressed with Aiden Markram, who scored 152 in the first innings of the final Test against Australia. He hailed the overall show against Australia as the most complete one for the team in the recent times.

“Everyone stood up. For Aiden in his first big series, I remember coming out to bat with him in Durban and there was a lot of chirp that he only scores runs against the small nations. He’s looking pretty good after this series. Even before this series I knew he was special,” noted du Plessis.

“There is big depth to our squad now. We are losing a big player in Morne but I do feel there are guys who can step up. This, as a whole, is the most complete we have been in a series,” he added further.

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