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Faf du Plessis says cricket's bubble life is unsustainable

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23rd January, 2021
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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.

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“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.

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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.

© AAP

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