The Former South Africa bowler Morne Morkel wants the selectors to take a chance and include star batsman Faf du Plessis in the Proteas squad for this year’s ICC T20 World Cup.
No contract to play with South Africa:-
While du Plessis no longer has a contract to play with Cricket South Africa, the 37-year-old showed that he still has what it takes to do well at the top level by scoring 468 runs during the recent IPL tournament for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
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The selectors overlooked du Plessis for last year’s T20 World Cup in Dubai and are now faced with a similar dilemma as to whether they should add the experienced right-hander to their squad for this year’s edition of the 20-over performance. Including the batsman.
Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith recently suggested that du Plessis should be considered for the four-week-long tournament and Morkel agrees.
100 days until the start of the T20 World Cup in Australia:-
“You want all your big-name players to play and Faf is still playing well at 37 years old,” Morkel told ICC Digital at an event in Melbourne. 100 days until the start of the T20 World Cup in Australia.
“He is still playing well, is doing well on the field, and has done exceptionally well for RCB (in the IPL).
“I want to see those experienced players in the team. It’s up to them (Cricket South Africa) to work, but I’m definitely a big fan of that.”
Whether du Plessis secures a spot in South Africa’s squad remains to be seen, but Morkel is still confident that his former team can be competitive in this year’s T20 World Cup, whether he is involved or not.
The Led by Kagiso Rabada and Tabrez Shamsi:-
The Proteas drew their most recent T20I series 2-2 at home against India and have a formidable bowling attack led by pacer Kagiso Rabada and veteran spinner Tabrez Shamsi.
The pair took eight wickets each in last year’s tournament and Morkel expects a similar performance this time as well.
“I honestly believe they have an attack that’s going to be well suited to these circumstances,” Morkel said.
“Kagiso Rabada is a world-class performer, Enrique Nortje did very well in the IPL and Shamsi is a quality spinner.
“I believe it is a well-balanced team and in T20 cricket these days the teams are very close.”
The Protea’s top order to former fast bowler:-
But Morkel believes South Africa could surprise with the bat. As the former pacer expects big things from the Proteas’ top order which includes skipper Temba Bavuma and classy opener Quinton de Kock.
Morkel said, ‘From a batting point of view, you cannot mention Quinton de Kock because he is in excellent form.
“Aiden Markram is another quality player. While Bevuma finds a way to score runs. And rotate the strike even though he is not your traditional T20 player.
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“On these big grounds (in Australia) where you can lose your pocket and run well. He’s going to be a big player.”
The T20 World Cup begins on October 16. With South Africa playing their first match against a first-round qualifier in Hobart on October 24.
