Du Plessis Biography: Former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis has spilt the beans on yet another farcical mismanagement in South Africa cricket. In his book, Du Plessis says, he wanted to play T20Is for SA and in T20 World Cup 2021 & 2022. But he was ghosted by head coach Mark Boucher and then-CSA chief Graeme Smith. As a result, Du Plessis followed the path set by AB de Villiers, announcing his SA retirement. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain in his autobiography, Faf Through Fire, blamed Boucher for his untimely retirement. Follow IPL 2023 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“Dealing with CSA during this time was like being in a relationship with someone who doesn’t value you as much as you value them. That complicated matters. I had to work much harder than should have been necessary to get them to communicate efficiently,” Du Plessis wrote in his book.
Du Plessis Biography: After AB de Villiers, Ex Proteas captain Faf Du Plessis comes down HARD on CSA, alleges, ‘Mark Boucher & Graeme Smith ghosted me after retiring from Tests’
He decided to quit Test cricket with problems continuing to mount between him and Boucher. Du Plessis texted the head coach. But he never responded.
“He (Boucher) never responded to my message, nor did he contact me after the announcement had been made. His silence confirmed to me that I had made the right decision to retire from Tests,” Du Plessis explained.
Du Plessis Biography: After AB de Villiers, Ex Proteas captain Faf Du Plessis comes down HARD on CSA, alleges, ‘Mark Boucher & Graeme Smith ghosted me after retiring from Tests’
Du Plessis Retirement: While Faf du Plessis wanted to continue playing for South Africa in T20Is with T20WC 2021 on the horizon, he decided against it after receiving no response from CSA. Faf wanted a T20I-only contract from CSA. While Smith promised to discuss the option with him, he never responded either. Hence, he decided to quit international cricket for franchise leagues.
“Sent Graeme, Mark and Victor Mpitsang an email asking for better two-way communication. I said a breakdown in communication had led to AB de Villiers not playing in the 2019 World Cup, which became a media mess. I wanted us to prevent a repetition of that. So what did they expect of a player who was not contracted but was in contention for the World Cup?” Du Plessis wrote.
Du Plessis Biography: Why did Faf du Plessis retire from South Africa early?
- AB de Villiers was his best friend in the South Africa national team.
- ABD’s sudden retirement in 2018 had an impact on him.
- Du Plessis dropped Bavuma from the team after a loss of form.
- While dropping Bavuma drew a lot of criticism, Du Plessis received no backing from Boucher or Smith.
- After England tour, he decided to quit Test captaincy.
- Boucher also did not like the way Du Plessis challenged his decision not to send a night watchman for the Test against Pakistan.
- South Africa ended up losing the match.
- Soon after Pakistan tour, Du Plessis sent a text to both Smith and Boucher on his retirement.
- But he never received a response from the coach.
- Du Plessis though wanted to continue playing Test cricket for SA.
- But CSA never responded to his request for a T20I-only contract.
- With no communication from CSA, Du Plessis decided to take international retirement for franchise leagues.
Du Plessis Biography: After AB de Villiers, Ex Proteas captain Faf Du Plessis comes down HARD on CSA, alleges, ‘Mark Boucher & Graeme Smith ghosted me after retiring from Tests’
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