Don’t go soft, says Faf
Proteas skipper calls for aggressive Australians
THE ball-tampering controversy has not stopped South African captain Faf du Plessis urging Australia to rethink its efforts to abandon its on-field aggression, saying it is what makes it great.
Du Plessis says he still looks forward to playing a battling Australia in tonight’s one-off Twenty20 international on the Gold Coast, saying it brought the “beast” out of him.
The Proteas skipper says there has been a big difference in the on-field chat since the sandpaper debacle in March, with a rebuilding Australia content to let its cricket do the talking.
However, du Plessis believes Australia’s in-yourface approach works and urges it not to “take away your strength”.
“There is a transition they are going through where they are trying to build up a new culture however long that will take,” he said.
“But I believe you should never take away your strength or uniqueness.
“Obviously there are laws which you can’t cross, but if your strength is to get inside guys’ faces then use that.
“But don’t become someone you are not. When guys are not authentic they are not the best cricketers they can be.”
Australia has adopted a good-bloke policy under new coach Justin Langer.
Captain Steve Smith and deputy David Warner copped 12-month bans and opener Cameron Bancroft a ninemonth suspension for their roles in the ball-tampering.
Du Plessis said the pleasant banter in the recent 2-1 oneday series win over Australia was a world away from what went down in their Test series in South Africa.
“There has been big difference in the way they talk in the field,” he said.
“Australia were probably the hardest to play against because they were the fiercest.
“The last series was like that. Especially the first one in Durban. It was a feisty one.
“Comparing that to now, you see they are obviously trying to minimise it more and let the cricket do the talking.”
South Africa is today set to unleash fast bowler Chris Morris, Farhaan Behardien and Tabraiz Shamsi.