Faf du Plessis appointed the South African captain across formats

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has named Faf du Plessis as captain of the South African team in all three formats of the game, following AB de Villiers‘ resignation from his role as the ODI skipper. The recommendation of the national selection panel to appoint Faf as the captain of the ODI team was approved by the Board of Directors of the CSA on Tuesday.

De Villiers announced his decision to step down as the ODI captain of the Proteas last month to make sure he remains available as a player for the national team in all the formats. Faf was the captain of the T20I side since 2012 and was handed over the duties of the Test team in December 2016 after ABD decided to step down due to injury troubles. De Villiers’ Test captaincy lasted only two games after he was made the skipper during the home Test series against England in last January once Hashim Amla stepped down.

CSA congratulates Faf

“Congratulations to Faf on his appointment as the natural successor to the ODI leadership,” commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat on Du Plessis’ appointment as the ODI captain of South Africa. “He has established himself as one of the best leaders in world cricket and this was reflected in his appointment as the captain for the World XI currently engaged in the T20 Series against Pakistan,” he said.

Faf du Plessis is currently in Pakistan to lead the World XI team against the Pakistan in the Independence Cup comprising of 3 T20Is played to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Du Plessis’ first assignment as the full-time ODI captain will be the 3-match ODI series against Bangladesh at home starting from October 15. Faf has led South Africa in nine ODIs so far acting as the interim captain in the absence of ABD.

Though du Plessis tasted a loss in his 1st ever game as the ODI captain, he won all the eight games after that including a 5-0 whitewash against Australia at home last year. De Villiers led the African nation in 103 ODIs but his win/loss of 1.512 which is well behind the former captains Hansie Cronje, Graeme Smith and Shaun Pollock who served their team for more than five years in this format.