Although the prospect of returning to the South African national team is tempting for him, former captain Faf du Plessis is determined to restore his peak fitness and refine his game before earnestly entertaining such aspirations.
Proteas coach Rob Walter has recently hinted at the availability of opportunities for senior professionals such as Du Plessis, Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw to make a comeback to the national team.
However, Du Plessis is focused on attaining optimal fitness levels following an elbow surgery he underwent in September during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2023 before seriously considering a return.
“I wouldn't say the process is not on (his SA comeback). I mean international cricket is still the pinnacle. You still feel like that's where cricket comes with the most pressure and that's what makes you really feel alive as a sportsman,” Du Plessis told PTI.
“But now, it's just about getting back into cricket after my operation, and a long layoff with my arm. So yeah, just taking the pressure off and just really enjoying playing some cricket again, and allowing my arm to get back to where it needs to get to,” he said.
“It (SA return) is just the process at the moment. South Africa has come out and said that there will be some T20 contracts coming out in March. So then it's up to the players to perform and do well (in leagues and other international matches) to make sure that they are eligible for selection.”
Indeed, Du Plessis has been among the proactive freelance cricketers, navigating through various T20 leagues. He expressed his belief that the governing bodies must devise a strategy to harmonize international cricket with franchise cricket.
Du Plessis pointed to New Zealand cricketers Trent Boult and Jimmy Neesham, who recently turned down NZC Central Contracts in order to fulfill their obligations to foreign leagues. Additionally, England Test captain Ben Stokes opted for a one-year contract over a three-year deal with the ECB.
“I find that cricket has changed so much now, you have all these amazing cricketers playing around the circuit. Things that's changed probably over the last couple of years or so that there weren't those T20 contracts (earlier).
“Now if you look at the world, there's a lot more players doing it (moving over to T20s). You know guys like Boult and Neesham from New Zealand recently went that way. So it's good to see that the leagues are growing in terms of the pedigree that players are coming in. I think both are equally important for the game,” said Du Plessis.
However, Du Plessis said the cricket boards should find a middle path.
“So it's happening more and more. I think it's important that the countries realise that (players opting for T20s), and make sure that you keep your players playing international cricket.
“The last thing you want is guys stopping playing international cricket when they're 28-29 years old when they are supposed to be reaching their prime,” he said.
At present, the 39-year-old is participating in the Abu Dhabi T10 with Samp Army. His aim is to enhance both his skills and fitness during this stint, utilizing the experience to make a positive impression on the South African establishment.
In this regard, Du Plessis emphasized that engaging in an all-out attacking format such as T10 has been instrumental in reconnecting with his own game.
“I was here probably about three years ago. As someone who had a template on how to play T20, I was surprised how different T10 was. The first time I was around, I didn't understand how to play the format. So there's this huge emphasis placed on maximising the power play. And I find that quite tricky.
“But this time around, I got a better expectation around what it looks like in terms of playing those first two overs and now I am certainly a bit more open to attacking,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)
