Faf dispels talk of ghosts of 2015 semifinal

Faf du Plessis has dispelled any talk of the ghosts of the 2015 World Cup semifinal swirling around the odd angles of Eden Park when New Zealand and SA play a T20 there on Friday, writes Telford Vice.

Du Plessis took the direct approach when the question came‚ inevitably‚ at the first media conference of SA’s tour in Auckland on Monday.

“There will be mixed feelings going back there‚” Du Plessis said. “Something like that‚ you’ll always carry it with you.

“As a team, we’ve definitely put it behind us‚ but the emotions of that day will always be with us. That’s not a bad thing. Although we were on the wrong side of the result, it was a great day of cricket and something that will always be with us,” the batsman added.

The scorebook from that match says Du Plessis and AB de Villiers scored half-centuries in SA’s decent total of 281/6 in the 43 overs their innings was reduced to by rain.

But New Zealand won by four wickets when Grant Elliott‚ who scored an unbeaten 84‚ smashed the penultimate ball of the match over Dale Steyn’s head for six.

What the scorebook does not say is that SA’s mental state was dealt a shuddering blow before the game by interference in team selection by Cricket SA.

The suits demanded that another player of colour be picked for the cricket side.

So Kyle Abbott‚ SA’s best bowler in the tournament‚ made way and the integrity of Vernon Philander‚ who had struggled with a hamstring injury for much of the competition and whose form had suffered as a consequence‚ was sacrificed.

Cricket SA at first denied their involvement, but admitted to it under mounting pressure in the media.

The effects of the defeat and its circumstances rocked the national team‚ who lost five of the eight Tests they played the next season.

Now‚ having won their last 11 one-day internationals at home‚ SA are ready to take their show on the road.

“We’ve got a nice thing going at home and it’s important when you come to a place like New Zealand‚ who have a quality one-day team and a really good record at home as well‚ to have all the confidence and momentum on your side‚” Du Plessis said.

SA are likely to need those factors‚ and others‚ to be in their favour against a Kiwi outfit who have won 26 of their last 30 ODIs at home. /