With Australian cricket in all sorts of trouble on and off the field, Proteas captain Faf du Plessis believes it’s time for some tough love.
South Africa have the opportunity to give just that to their hosts in Adelaide in the second ODI on Friday at 5.20am after winning the first of the three-match series by six wickets.
A win on Friday will see the South Africans wrap up the series 2-0, with Du Plessis said: “They [Australia] are an extremely good cricket team.
“[But] when you do get an opportunity against Australia where you can put your foot on the gas, it’s really important that you do it.”
The Proteas skipper, though, says they are contemplating making some changes to the side that won the first match last weekend.
With one eye on the World Cup, the Proteas are still looking to find the perfect allrounder that will bring the balance to their squad.
SA ALLROUNDER: Chris Morris. Photo: SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX
Du Plessis explains: “We’re still looking at combinations.
“We’re a team that’s finding its feet in terms of balance.
“We’ve got the right kind of cricketers, the right kind of skill.
“But we’re still finding the perfect balance - I feel like we’re always a little bit light on the batting or on the bowling.
“We’re looking at it in Test cricket as well - for the guy that can bat at No.7 and act as a fourth seamer. An allrounder that gives you that balance.”
Andile Phehlukwayo was the man tasked with the allrounder role in the first match, but Du Plessis says he might be replaced by Dwaine Pretorius for Friday’s encounter.
SPIN OPTION: Tabraiz Shamsi. Photo: DERYCK FOSTER/BACKPAGEPIX
Of the possible changes, the skipper says: “[We can bring in Tabraiz] Shamsi as a second spinner, but the conditions don’t necessarily allow for the ball to spin.
“Then there’s Chris Morris who’s an X-factor player and comes when we’re looking at playing two allrounders.
“The other option is Dwaine Pretorius, who is probably a straight swap for Phehlukwayo.”