MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, July 7, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – South Africa captain
Faf du Plessis believes Australia’s World Cup confidence is akin to an “extra
player” even though he did more than most to ensure the holders entered the
semi-finals on the back of a defeat.
Du Plessis hit 100 in a total of 325-6 that proved just enough to give the
Proteas a 10-run win over Australia at Old Trafford in the last match of
group stage.
Saturday’s success came after South Africa’s own hopes of a last-four place
had long since disappeared.
But the result meant Australia could not finish first in the 10-team table
and so deprived them of a seemingly ‘easier’ semi-final against fourth-placed
New Zealand at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Aaron Finch’s team will now face a revitalised England at Edgbaston on
Thursday instead.
Australia, however, have won the World Cup a record five times and du
Plessis said that history of success made them strong contenders to go all
the way to the final at Lord’s on July 14.
“I think Australia and India have proven it time and time again,” said du
Plessis after producing South Africa’s first and only century of this World
Cup.
“They are teams that win big games. It’s hard to look past Australia and
the success they’ve had in winning World Cups, as much as we would like to
say we want to compete with that.
“The confidence that an Australian team comes into a World Cup with is just
like an extra player on your team.”
Du Plessis, asked to name the winner of this World Cup, replied: “They
(Australia) would probably prefer playing against New Zealand, but I would
say one of Australia or India.”