Colombo, Oct 2: It was not just South Africa’s exit from the tournament that was shocking, but also the manner in which they crashed out that left everyone perplexed. The AB de Villiers-led side was knocked out from the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 without registering a single win in the Super Eights. However, the South African skipper duly pointed out that Faf du Plessis, who impressed with a 38-ball 65, was one of the few high points for the Proteas during their heartbreaking one-run loss to India today.
Excerpts from de Villiers’ brief chat during the presentation ceremony:
On not winning a single game in the Super Eights
I am disappointed. There are no words to describe it. We had good support from back home and that’s the saddest part of it all. I’d like to apologise to the people back home and I am pretty much speechless right now; we are very disappointed as a team. We tried our best but unfortunately came up short. It just didn’t click in this tournament; but we let the country down and that’s what hurts most.
On whether the conditions here had an effect on their performance
No, not really. We had done all preparations possible. We had the skills in place and we thought that we are ready, but we were obviously not. We just didn’t play well enough. We were prepared for every game. We had the best fifteen players in the squad, but unfortunately the guys didn’t come to the party, including myself. So, we will have to go back and work hard. We will now play in the CLT20 in South Africa and then we are off to Australia for a long tour in November.
On Faf du Plessis
He is a very talented player. He played really well today. He is probably the bright light at the moment; but unfortunately we lost the game. But I am very pleased with Fafy’s performance here today.
