Faf du Plessis: Kiwis hold 'psychological edge', but Proteas ready for T20 World Cup semi-final
ICC T20 WORLD CUP
Former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis and former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming discussing tactics.
Image: Sportzpics
Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis believes New Zealand have the “psychological edge” heading into the ICC T20 World Cup semi-final at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, but that the Proteas "have been near perfect”.
Du Plessis was part of the Proteas side that lost to the Black Caps in both the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal and the heartbreaking 2015 World Cup semi-final at Eden Park.
The Proteas are, though, unbeaten at this T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, having won seven straight matches, including thrashing the Kiwis by seven wickets in their group match in Ahmedabad last month.
Du Plessis believes this form should give the Proteas the edge in the crunch semi-final.
“South Africa, New Zealand and World Cup knockouts is not a psychological edge. I can tell you that. So definitely New Zealand has a psychological edge there,” Du Plessis said on Cricinfo’s Timeout show.
“But this World Cup, South Africa has been near perfect. They haven't missed a beat. Bowling is in form. Batters are scoring runs. So they'll be walking into that contest very confident.”
New Zealand's Scott Styris (R) exchanges words with Proteas batters Faf du Plessis (C) and AB de Villiers (2L) during the quarter-final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
Image: AFP
The Proteas boast two seam bowlers - Lungi Ngidi (12) and Corbin Bosch (11) - in the top five wicker-takers in the competition, and together with spearhead Kagiso Rabada and the left-arm variation of Marco Jansen, Du Plessis feels confident the 2024 T20 World Cup runners-up can progress to a second successive final.
“In terms of versatility in their bowling unit, they have got everything,” Du Plessis said.
“A tall left arm fast bowler with a new ball. Every team in the world wants a 6-foot 4 fast bowler that can swing the ball both ways and pump it at No 7 as well. So that, and you've got (Corbin) Bosch that gives them that hit-the-deck kind of bowler, and really good at the death.
"Rabada with his skill, almost like Test-like conditions, where he can just nip the ball around a little bit. And then Keshav Maharaj has been excellent throughout the World Cup. He is a banker. He rarely has an off day.
“So they pretty much got everything covered. Lungi Ngidi has been the find of the tournament in terms of form.
“Everyone in the World Cup wouldn't expect him to be South Africa's premier bowler, but he's had a great World Cup. Yeah, and within that quartet, Ngidi is having a sensational World Cup and Rabada is Rabada.”
The Proteas also have fond recent memories of Eden Gardens having won their first Test in India after 25 years last year in Kolkata.
Aiden Markram’s men will be hoping to celebrate another significant success on Wednesday. The semi-final starts at 3:30pm (SA time).