ICC World Cup 2019 | Things didn’t go as per plan, says Faf du Plessis
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Faf du Plessis has said that things didn’t go as per plan for South Africa in their second game against Bangladesh at the Kennington Oval on Sunday. South Africa won the toss and put Bangladesh to bat but the latter blasted 330 runs and ensured that the South Africans fell short by 21 runs.
South Africa opened their attack against Bangladesh with Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada, both of whom were taken apart by the openers before Andile Phehlukwayo dismissed Tamim Iqbal in the ninth over. However, Ngidi did not return to bowl as he limped off the field due to a hamstring side strain. The pacers did manage to get the ball knicked quite a few times but none of them ended in a wicket. Even when South Africa came to bat in the second innings, none of the batsmen was able to convert their starts into a big score. Faf du Plessis blamed a mix of factors for the defeat.
“Obviously today didn't go according to plan. Lungi (Ngidi) getting injured wasn't ideal at the start of the campaign. 330 was over par, and every one chipped in with the bat, but all in all it wasn't ideal from us. The thinking at the toss, after speaking to the groundsman, was that there would be a lot of pace and bounce,” he said at the post-match presentation ceremony, reported Cricbuzz.
“Against a subcontinental side, if they do get runs on the board, they can squeeze you. But in hindsight, we would have changed that. To go for that many runs, even without Lungi, wasn't ideal. We have to take that on the chin,” expressed the 34-year-old.
South Africa stood at 268/6 at the end of five overs with a set JP Duminy and Morris at the crease. However, they failed to get 63 runs and the skipper reckoned that side was very poor in the last five overs.Â
“At the 45-over mark, I looked up at the screen and we were at the same stage, and it shows that we were really bad in the last five overs,” asserted the Pretoria born player.Â
Veteran pacer Dale Steyn had injured himself even before the start of the tournament whereas Ngidi has become the latest to join the list. Hashim Amla has thankfully recovered for the game against India on June 5 which comes as the only positive news for the Proteas. The skipper remarked that things are not getting easier for the team.
"We came here with the fast bowling attack that we wanted to have. Lungi has a hamstring injury, so I'm not sure how serious it is because usually hammies are a few days or a week off. Dale is bowling in the middle now, so hopefully there's some good progress. It is definitely not getting easier for us,” shared the Titans player.
“South Africa is a very proud sporting nation. The skills weren't there today but I promise there will be a lot of fight. We are firing at about 50-60 percent at the moment and it shows that even Bangladesh can beat that on any day."
