South Africa’s permanent skipper Faf du Plessis stepped down from his role in Tests and T20Is, having given up captaincy in ODIs earlier, on Monday ahead of South Africa’s team announcement for the three-match T20I series against Australia. Du Plessis’ decision comes on the back of South Africa needing to groom a new skipper as the former captain suggested that as a leader he had to be “selfless”.
Quinton de Kock is being seen as the permanent skipper across formats although there’s time for South Africa to decide that in Tests at least where their next assignment isn’t until July.
“This was one of the toughest decisions to make, but I remain fully committed to supporting Quinton, Mark [Boucher] and my team-mates as we continue to rebuild and re-align as a group,” a Cricket South Africa (CSA) release quoted du Plessis as saying. “South African cricket has entered a new era. New leadership, new faces, new challenges and new strategies. I remain committed to play in all three formats of the game for now as a player, and will offer my knowledge and time to the new leaders of the team.
“I have strived to lead the team with dignity and authenticity during exhilarating highs and devastating lows. I have given my everything during my tenure. I have never been one to throw in the towel and do believe I am putting the team first and believe we have to stick through the tough times to get to the good times. In a perfect world I would have loved to lead the team in the Tests for the rest of the season as well as the T20 World Cup, but sometimes the most important attribute of a leader is to be selfless. I am healthy, fit, energised and motivated and certainly see myself playing an important role in the squad for as long as I continue putting in winning performances for the team.”
Du Plessis’ record as skipper of South Africa
Tests – played 36, won 18, lost 15
ODIs – played 39, won 28, lost 10
T20Is – played 37, won 23, lost 13