"We're like headless chickens running around everywhere," former South Africa cricketers slam Faf du Plessis and Co

South Africa are going through their worst phase in cricket in a long time. After losing to Sri Lanka 0-2 in a home series earlier this year, the Proteas have been thrashed again – this time by India 0-3. More than the defeats, it’s the manner in which they have lost the latest series which has hurt their fans more.

The last two of the three matches saw Faf du Plessis’ men losing by an innings. In the third Test in Ranchi, the Proteas managed 295 runs losing 20 wickets while for India, Rohit Sharma alone made 212. Former South Africa nationals slammed their team following the meek surrender even if the country is going through a transition after the exit of the likes of AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn.

Former batsman Peter Kirsten said in an interview to Times of India that he was not surprised to see South Africa struggle in India. “As former cricketers, we saw it coming since the World Cup, where too we weren’t at our best. It is, in any case, very, very difficult to play India in India,” he said, reminding the poor performance that the Proteas showed at the World Cup.

He also said South Africa’s cricket board should keep its former players involved with the team’s progress. “A few big retirements, like that of AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla has left the team short of experience. The Kolpak deal, which allows our players to become professional and leave SA, has hurt us badly.

I don’t want to blame the current South African coach Enoch Nkwe, but I have been offering my services for the last 10 years and heard nothing from them. Guys like (half-brother) Gary, Ashwell Prince Mark Boucher need to be involved in coaching the national team,” Kirsten, who played 12 Tests and 40 ODIs for SA, added.

Brian McMillan calls current team of ‘headless chickens’

Former South Africa all-rounder Brian McMillan was more ruthless in his take and called the current team as one of “headless chickens”. “We’re at rock bottom. We’re like headless chickens running around everywhere. There’s no direction and no leadership. There is also a rumour that the captain might be replaced, with the new skipper being the young Temba Bavuma,” he said.

“Many of our quality players have migrated to play the sport in England, other European countries, New Zealand, and the lucrative T20 leagues,” McMillan, who was a member of the formidable South Africa team of the 1990s and played 38 Tests and 78 ODIs, further continued.

South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis also admitted that his team was completely outplayed by a very strong Indian team and vowed for a better show in their next immediate series.

[interaction id=”5daf083de7754a6309b4cf55″]