South Africa’s most experienced player Faf du Plessis, preparing for the Pakistan series, is concerned that ‘bubble’ life for players is simply unsustainable.
“We understand that this is a very tough season and a tough challenge for a lot of people out there, but if it’s back-to-back-to-back bubble life, things would become a big challenge,” du Plessis said during a virtual news conference on Saturday.
“I don’t think it’s possible to continue from bubble to bubble to bubble, I’ve seen and heard a lot of players talk about it. I don’t think it’s sustainable.”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, cricketers have to adhere to strict procedures for an international series like the one South Africa are preparing for in Pakistan.
The games will be played in empty stadiums and players’ movement confined to just their hotel and stadiums.
Du Plessis is one of those South African cricketers, along with current captain Quinton de Kock, to have experienced this kind of life in a bubble over the last few months.
He played in the Indian Premier League in the United Arab Emirates and also the home series against Sri Lanka.
Now he has a two-Test series in Pakistan, starting on Tuesday in Karachi, followed by the second Test at Rawalpindi.
“The main priority is to play cricket, to be out there doing what we love instead of being at home so I think that still remains the most important thing.
“But I think there would definitely come a point where players would struggle with this (bubble),” du Plessis said.
“If you look at a calendar of the last eight months, you’re looking at about four or five months in a bubble, which is a lot.
“For some of us (being) without family, it can get challenging. Right now, I’m still in a good place. I’m still feeling really motivated and driven, but I can only speak for myself.”
The South African team practised at the National Stadium — the venue for the Test opener — for the first time on Saturday.
Before that, the visitors had been training at a stadium close to the team hotel for the last four days where they played intra-squad matches.
Du Plessis is South Africa’s most experienced player touring Pakistan, but wasn’t sure what type of wickets will be prepared for the two Tests.
He thinks fit-again Pakistan captain Babar Azam and fast bowler Shaheen Afridi could pose most problems for the tourists.
Babar has regained fitness after suffering a fractured thumb. In his absence, Pakistan lost both the Twenty20 and Test series in New Zealand.
Dr Fauci
Guest
He openly questioned the effectiveness of a vaccine last week, in posts that were subsequently reported and removed. He believes the lies of the Trumpian media, mate. Do not be fooled. India's 10 million cases, out of 1.3 billion mind you, is actually very impressive. It could be worse, and the facilities are actually quite good. Good riddance to that garbage.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Dr. I may have missed it but I don’t think anyone said anything about vaccine skepticism, yet. India is second in world for cases, third for death. I think top three is US, them and Brazil. Out of those two US is only ‘developed’ one, as wacky a country as that is I’d rather be in a developed country and corona going off. The main point I think people writing is these comps around the world may have trouble for awhile.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Fair enough.
BillyB
Guest
Actually, most of the south africans aren't on much. It's why many left for Kolpak deals remember? So yeah, when he says bubble life is hard, he unlike Steve Smith doesn't have 6m a year in contracts and endorsements to soften the blow. Some of the test squad there make less than 100k a year. they don't have county deals, they don't have IPL deals, and even if they left are practically banned from travelling anywhere to make a buck.
Dr Fauci
Guest
Don’t forget we have the T20 World Cup later this year in India, by far the worst affected nation on earth. Really? Fancy enlightening us why India are the most affect nation on earth? Or has your vaccine skepticism also spread to outright statistical manipulation? Quick hint: News and facts isn't available on skynews.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
I agree, they seem to want it all, play and earn money. Ok do that but do what the medics say, what ever authority in the country you going to days. If they want to go to a country with super hard restriction then you use to, decide. If going to a country that’s more lax, I’d be into my board to get it really safe and tight. Nothing will be 100%, it going to cost more money to make it safe.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Not to mention the money they make.
Paul
Roar Guru
I think your make some really good points Dwanye. When the bubble type environment was first created for the NRL, obviously there was an air of "we've got to do this, or there's going to be no footy". That also came at a time when none of us had any idea how long the virus would last and all the resultant issues that have arisen. I think it's safe to say that if experts are suggesting overseas travel to and from Oz is unlikely in 2021, then any chance of normality in terms of bio-bubbles is a pipe dream. That should mean a complete rethink by the ICC and any other organisation involved in international sport for the reasons you mentioned - players losing top level physical fitness and/or stopping their sport because they're struggling mentally. Don't forget we have the T20 World Cup later this year in India, by far the worst affected nation on earth. If Faf has issues with bio-bubbles in Pakistan, he'll really struggle in India.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Paul. It fair and I understand, I think it coming down to management/system/organisations not catching up yet. Players may soon make choice to not do some tours. The management/system/organisations got to get with it and spend the money, resorts just for players, cost of trained and equipped staff to prevent the exposure, possibly playing at one ground. We expect top performance from people who been slowly losing the usual fitness and match skills. The tennis players hitting ball against window is like their usual setup. I think it reason with cricket some skills were down possibly. In my work corona is involved and some quarantine stuff. Things could be done limiting contamination more but money is trying not to blowout. Players coming from overseas (some places where it way worse then here) the community has to be protected, health and cost wise. Longer this goes it will end up in sporting hubs, I think, it best way to go for them to stay at a level, for long period and us get this thing we like. As long as people running are listening (to players), thinking and learning. Aust opens having trouble. The coming olympics, that’s going to be different. Sorry to waffle on.
MarkD
Guest
Sometimes i think professional sports people should get a Proper job so they can get a bit of perspective and realise just how lucky they actually are . There were FIFO workers who were stuck in WA for close to 8mths due to border closures . Alot of us are lucky to get 4wks off a year let alone 4 months from 8months . Im not saying that bubble life is all fun and games , obviously with being away from family,friends and other restrictions but i reckon most would swap with him in a heartbeat and be grateful.
Paul
Roar Guru
Faf's comments are completely fair. Being in any sort of lockdown is hard physically but especially mentally and even more so if they're having to do that for extended periods. Hopefully the players will not need to endure this type of situation for too much longer.