Du Plessis lambasts ‘mediocre’ SA after World Cup exit

FAF du Plessis admitted South Africa’s limp World Cup exit was embarrassing as the furious captain branded his u n d e r - p e r f o r mi n g t e a m “mediocre” and challenged them to take responsibility for their disastrous showing.

The Proteas cannot qualif y f or t he s e mi-f i n a l s a f t e r slumping to a 49-run defeat a g a i n s t f e l l ow s t r ug g l e r s P a k i s t a n a t L o r d ’s o n Sunday.

With two games to play, South Africa have failed to make the knockout stages for only the second time.

The tame manner of their elimination was tough for Du Plessis to swallow as he watched his side struggle to 259-9 in response to Pakistan’s 308-7.

“The results we are dishing out at the moment, it’s tough. The way we played today is borderline embarrassing,” Du Plessis said.

“It sta r ted wit h our bowling. There were a lot of bad balls on a wicket where if you just bowled line and leng t h it was goi ng to be ha rd for them.

“It was a five out of 10 performance with the ball, then the same batting. We started nicely, got a partnership going, then wickets fall.

“We are a mediocre team at the moment because we are making the same mistakes. One step forward and two steps back is not a good team.”

Du Plessis said his players were suffering from a chronic lack of confidence.

The skipper top-scored for his team on Sunday with 63, but received little support as the Proteas played too cautiously, then threw their wickets away in a desperate bid to get back into the match.

“The guys are playing with low confidence and making the same mistakes. It just rolls on, it’s such a snowball effect,” he said.

“The real, honest answer is it chips away at you. You try really hard, then come back the next game and make the same mistakes. It chips away at your confidence and your ego as a player.”

‘Humiliating’

Frustrated that South Africa, defeated in five of their seven World Cup matches, have only beaten minnows Afghanistan in the tournament, Du Plessis demanded his players show more desire to sort out their problems.

“As much as I can say, or the coach can say, the responsibility lies with the player to sort it out yourself if you are low on confidence,” he said.

“Everyone has played the game long enough to understand you go through highs and lows.”

Du Plessis said the humiliating exit was the lowest point of his career, adding: “I’m a very proud player and captain. Playing for South Africa means a lot to me.

“There are people rightly and fairly criticising the team because we are not playing the cricket we should.

“It’s important myself, the coach and the senior players front up to this challenge.”

Du Ple s si s a l s o bl a med bu r n o ut f o r t h e i r wo e s a f ter sever a l Sout h A f r ic a players, i ncluding t he sk ipper, played i n t h i s yea r ’s Indian Premier League.

“It’s important we find space to rest our three-format players. They are playing a lot of cricket. That’s the one area I would have changed but it’s not in my hands,” he said.

Du Plessis said he would not walk away from the job.

“I’ve a lways sa id t he most enjoy ment I get f rom t he game is captaining t he side. The fact we are play ing way below ou r potent ia l i s not something t hat sits well wit h me,” he said.

“I’m trying as hard as I can, but unfortunately not everything is down to me. My character is I will try to fix as many problems as I can.”