South Africa have got off to a disastrous start in ICC T20 World Cup 2021. After receiving an invitation to bat first from Australian skipper Aaron Finch, the Proteas crumbled to 106/8 in 19 overs. Many fans believe that the South African team is missing the services of their experienced batter Faf du Plessis. Despite being available, du Plessis did not receive a place in the South African T20 World Cup squad.
Captain Temba Bavuma opened the innings for South Africa along with the experienced T20 star Quinton de Kock. Bavuma looked great in the opening over of Mitchell Starc. However, Glenn Maxwell cleaned him up in the second over. Soon after, Josh Hazlewood removed de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen. After scoring 11 runs off the first over, the Proteas were down to 23/3 in 4.1 overs.
Aiden Markram tried his best but no one supported him
Aiden Markram, who recently turned up for the Punjab Kings in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League, fought like a lone warrior for the South African cricket team. He scored 40 runs off 36 deliveries, smashing four fours and a six.
Apart from him, none of the other South African middle-order batters could touch the 20-run mark. David Miller lost his wicket after scoring 16 runs off 18 deliveries, while all-rounder Dwaine Pretorious managed only a solitary run. Heinrich Klaasen aggregated 13 runs at a strike rate of 100, whereas Keshav Maharaj got run out before he could open his account.
Twitterati feel South Africa are missing Faf du Plessis
Kagiso Rabada eventually huffed and puffed to take the Proteas to 118/9 in 20 overs. Rabada remained unbeaten on 19 runs off 23 deliveries, smashing a four and a six. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa scalped two wickets each. Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers, with figures of 2/19 in his four overs spell.
South Africa did not look strong on paper against Australia, and when Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen got out early, there were very few chances of a big score. Faf du Plessis memes flooded on Twitter, and here are some of the top Twitter reactions to South Africa’s batting:
South Africa Without Faf Du Plessis and Ab de Villiers pic.twitter.com/PwTmuFD3Xb
— Just Butter (@JustButter07) October 23, 2021
They don't deserve you King @faf1307 . Now, They will get to know the importance of You in the team. #T20WorldCup #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/YesNCFcb2A
— ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ แตสฐแตโฟโฑ โก (@Dhoni_Tweetz) October 23, 2021
Faf watching SA batters in mud.#AUSvSA #T20WorldCup #FafduPlessis pic.twitter.com/65lFRfv24E
— Harsh Sigma male era (@Hahahahahahrsh) October 23, 2021
South Africa missing faf du plessis??? #savsaus #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Jwbuyue2Tm
— Ms (@manvendra_sah) October 23, 2021
Faf du Plessis is having the time of his life right now, you just know it. #T20WorldCup
— Lily Franklin (@lilyffranklin13) October 23, 2021
You already know what I want to say ๐๐๐๐๐. #FafduPlessis pic.twitter.com/Xjmfez5L7x
— Aman Pandey (@AmanPan81387002) October 23, 2021
Hey @OfficialCSA If the struggle continues call ๐ @faf1307 he is in Cape Town !!
! In experienced Students are playing while the teacher is not there ? ๐คทโโ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/GUidBNFFBr— ! die hard fans of faf !โข๏ธ (@faf_fans18) October 23, 2021
South Africa didn't select Faf Du Plessis for their T20 squad. #CricketTwitter #AUSvSA
*le Hazlewood (a CSK player): pic.twitter.com/WX1Iy47WDo
— Naina Talwar ๐ฏ FollowBack (@Iamnaina04) October 23, 2021
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Faf Du Plessis watching South Africa choke #T20WorldCup #SAvAUS #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/Wv7b9k08WY
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) October 23, 2021
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Faf du Plessis watching SA batting line-up falling #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/AOWvmIdkJ3
— Ctrl C + Ctrl Memes๐ฎ๐ณ (@Ctrlmemes_) October 23, 2021
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