Faf du Plessis criticizes Durban Test planning, questions cricket in South Africa

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has questioned Cricket South Africa’s decision to stage the opening Test against Australia in Durban, arguing that the venue’s history against visitors and its poor crowd attendance should have prompted the governing body to reconsider its choice. His criticism comes afterwards Australia secured a commanding victory by 214 runs at Kingsmead to take a 1–0 lead in the three-match Test series.

Australia’s win continued Australia’s impressive record at the Durban venue, where they also beat South Africa in 2006, 2009 and 2018. The latest defeat added weight to Faf’s concerns about the scheduling of the series, with the former captain questioning why South Africa would begin such a high-profile competition at a venue where Australia have enjoyed considerable success.

“For me, there’s a big question mark I’d like to put to the decision-makers at Cricket South Africa. When you have such a poor record at Kingsmead in Durban, while Australia have an excellent record there – I think they’ve won their last four consecutive Test matches against us at the venue – why would you start a series there? You’re effectively saying to the opposition where you start ‘Flight most comfortably.’

“If you compare Durban with other venues in South Africa like Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria and the Wanderers, South Africa and the Proteas have far better records at those venues. So that’s my first question,” Faf told Cricinfo.

DURBAN’S CARE OF THE CROWD

Faf also questioned Durban’s ability to attract crowds for the marquee Test series, claiming the atmosphere at the venue did not live up to expectations surrounding Australia’s return to South Africa.

“Secondly, from a crowd point of view, Durban also has the lowest attendance figures among South African grounds. Before the first Test between South Africa and Australia, the iconic series, with Australia returning for the first time since 2018, there is so much hype and talk. Yet there is no crowd. You look at the TV and think, ‘This is not good, I want to see the big stadium. series’,” Faf added.

His comments highlight the wider challenge for Test cricket: to ensure that major international competitions attract healthy crowds and provide the atmosphere their character deserves. With Australia coming in as one of the strongest legs on the tour, the venue selection has become another point of contention following South Africa’s heavy defeat.

PROTEAS IN A STIFF CHALLENGE

The planning debate is particularly interesting given the historical mutual records elsewhere. Australia have won 10 of the 14 Tests played against South Africa in Cape Town, while the Proteas have had more success in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth. South Africa have won four of the seven Tests against Australia at St George’s Park compared to Australia’s three wins.

The second Test of the series is scheduled to take place in Gqeberha, followed by the third in Cape Town. South Africa will need to respond strongly in the remaining matches after their batting struggled to withstand the Australian onslaught in Durban. Gqeberha is the only venue in South Africa where the Proteas have won more Tests against Australia than they have lost.

Australia’s victory in the first Test was built on outstanding contributions from Matt Renshaw with the bat and a decisive bowling performance from Josh Hazlewood. Renshaw scored 190 in the first innings and followed it up with 82 in the second, while Hazlewood took six wickets in South Africa’s last innings to seal a 214-run win.

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