South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis has suggested that overseas toss should be scrapped and the visiting team should get a chance to decide what they want to do. Faf du Plessis went on loss all the three tosses against India in the recently concluded Test series and it was one-way traffic.
Indian captain Virat Kohli decided to bat first in all the three Test matches and the Proteas had no chance to get back into the contest after the hosts posted 500 runs.
South Africa could not pose a challenge to India.
India defeated South Africa by a margin of 203 runs in the first Test. The hosts were able to increase their domination as they thrashed Faf du Plessis-led side by an innings and 137 runs in the second Test. Furthermore, the margin of loss increased more in the third Test as Proteas lost by an innings and 202 runs. Thus, it was all agony for the visitors in the three-match Test series.
“Every Test match, they bat first, they score 500, they declare when it’s dark, they get three wickets when it’s dark, and when Day 3 starts, you’re under pressure.” said a frustrated du Plessis, outlining India’s winning blueprint throughout the series.
“It was like copy and paste in every Test match. (If the toss is done away with in overseas Tests) then away teams will have a better chance. In South Africa, I don’t mind that. We bat on green tops anyway.”
Meanwhile, Faf du Plessis believes that the team needs to make use of the experience of the former players. The skipper added the team can benefit from the experience of former players but to finance them has been an issue for Cricket South Africa.
“It’s obvious that we need to make more use of ex-players, but it also comes with challenges. I suppose it always comes down to finance. I know for a fact that we have tried to get them involved, but the financial thing is a hurdle. We need experience in the team right now and that comes from ex-players.”
“The most important thing right now is clarity. Someone needs to make decisions, the director of cricket first and then filter down so that everyone else can make decisions.“
Faf du Plessis had also added that he is the right man to lead South Africa. The Proteas don’t have experience under their belt and it would take them some time to rebuild their team. South Africa will next host England in the four-match Test series.