Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has suggested a return to international cricket in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. He revealed ongoing discussions with South Africa's white-ball coach Rob Walter over the past couple of years.
Du Plessis' last appearance in a T20I was three years ago in 2020, and his final match for South Africa was a Test against Pakistan in February 2021.
"I believe that I can return to international cricket," du Plessis told the broadcaster of Abu Dhabi T10 league.
"We have been speaking about this for the last couple of years. It's just figuring out the balance of the T20 World Cup next year. It's certainly something we have spoken about with the new coach," he added.
Although not representing South Africa recently, du Plessis has been in excellent form in domestic competitions and various T20 leagues worldwide. In the most recent IPL season, he accumulated 730 runs in 14 games for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), securing the second-highest run tally in the tournament.
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The 39-year-old cricketer, who led South Africa in the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups, hasn't been considered for the last two editions of the tournament. Remarkably, he has never formally announced his retirement from white-ball cricket.
Walter announced on December 4 that players such as du Plessis, Quinton de Kock, and Rilee Rossouw are under consideration for the T20 World Cup. The tournament is set to take place in June next year in the West Indies and the USA.
"Given that some of our frontline bowlers are missing out and there are guys - let me throw it out there just to create some media hype - like Faf (du Plessis) and Rilee (Rossouw) as well as Quinny (De Kock) that could well be considered for a T20 World Cup and then also the SA20 that happens next year - 80% of the side picks itself but there is definitely a space for other guys to get themselves into the conversation," Walter had said.
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