Senior batsman Faf du Plessis on Monday stepped down as captain of South Africa’s Test and T20 teams with immediate effect, citing “the need to facilitate the emergence of next generation of leaders”.
The 35-year-old Du Plessis, who stepped aside from the ODI captaincy to make way for Quinton de Kock during the recent series against England, said he took the decision to help South Africa start a new era.
“In a perfect world I would have loved to lead the team in the Tests for the rest of the season as well as the T20 World Cup,” du Plessis said in a statement.
“But sometimes the most important attribute of a leader is to be selfless. I am healthy, fit, energised and motivated and certainly see myself playing an important role in the squad for as long as I continue putting in winning performances for the team,” he added.
“As the team heads into a new direction with new leaders and a young crop of players, I feel it will be in the best interests of South African cricket to relinquish the captaincy in all formats.”
Du Plessis termed the decision as one of the toughest but said he remains fully committed to help de Kock in the transition phase.
“This was one of the toughest decisions to make, but I remain fully committed to supporting Quinton, Mark (Boucher) and my teammates as we continue to rebuild and re-align as a group,” said the 35-year-old.
Rabada return for T20s
Faf du Plessis and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will return to the South African squad for a three-match T20I series against Australia, starting at the Wanderers on Friday.
Fast bowler Anrich Nortje, one of South Africa’s successes in a losing Test series, has also been included in the squad.
Temba Bavuma’s selection is dependent on a scan of his right hamstring after he was injured during final match against England.