Proteas captain Faf du Plessis has admitted England were better in ‘all facets of the game’ following his side’s crushing 104-run defeat at the Oval on Thursday, writes DANIEL GALLAN in London
Du Plessis is a man who knows himself. He knows his strengths and weaknesses as a player and a captain. He knows when his side have been outclassed by a better side.
This was the case when he addressed the media after the Proteas’ 104-run defeat to England in the opening game at the Oval.
‘England were better than us in all three facets of the game,’ the Proteas captain said.
‘This is when it’s important for us to look at the World Cup for what it is. As disappointed as we are in our game we have to put it to bed.’
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South Africa came into the game as underdogs but knew that the one department they could match their hosts was with the ball.
They reduced England to 311-8 on a sticky surface, a credit to the bowlers who were up against side who hade regularly posted scores of 350 plus.
‘I thought we did a good job with the ball,’ Du Plessis said.
‘England bat longer than any other side in the World Cup. For them to score so few runs in the last 15 overs was a great achievement. 350 has almost been their par score lately.’
After achieving his first objective of keeping England within arm’s reach, Du Plessis would have been hoping for a solid start from his top order.
Jofra Archer hit Hashim Amla on the head inside four overs, forcing the opener to leave the field with concussion. Then the menacing fast bowler dismissed Aiden Markram and Du Plessis through a combination of express pace and ill-advised shots.
With questions over Amla’s return, South Africa were effectively three down inside the power play with only 44 on the board.
‘When we are chasing a big score like 311 what you need is a good start to settle the dressing room down,’ Du Plessis said. ‘When you go three down on a big score like that you are making it really tough to perform.’
That struggle against the new ball was down to Archer’s aggression and Du Plessis singled him out for praise.
‘He bowled really well. A lot of our guys hadn’t faced him before. It will take time for international batters to get used to him. He’s a little nippy when he hist the crease. He has that X-factor.’
– Gallan is a London-based freelance cricket writer, follow him on Twitter: @danielgallan
Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images
