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Saurashtra captain Jaydev Shah believes his team still have a chance of taking the Ranji Trophy title, despite their poor first day

Siddarth Ravindran in Mumbai26-Jan-2013Saturday was a thoroughly dispiriting day for Saurashtra. After all the excitement about their first final since Independence, their batting crumbled against a good but unexceptional bowling performance from Mumbai in the first session.There wasn’t much help for the spinners, quick bowler Shardul Thakur’s figures of 12-2-31-0 hide how regularly he sprayed the ball wide of the stumps, while Ajit Agarkar took the new ball but bowled only three overs in the first hour. Only Dhawal Kulkarni posed a consistent threat, keeping the batsmen guessing around the off stump and choking the runs. Several wickets went down to poor strokes: Shitanshu Kotak played a loose shot off the backfoot, Jaydev Shah tucked a harmless delivery straight to midwicket and later, when much of the damage was already done, Kamlesh Makvana slapped a wide ball to backward point.What made it worse for Saurashtra was that bowling is generally considered to be Mumbai’s weaker department, with the hosts missing the experience of Zaheer Khan. Also, Saurashtra’s success this season has been based more on their spinners than the quicks and the Wankhede pitch is unlikely to offer much for the slow bowlers this early in the match.Just one day into the game and Mumbai already look to be certainties for the title. Saurashtra captain Jaydev Shah didn’t share that view, though. “Of course, why not?” he said emphatically, when asked whether he had the resources for a fightback. “Today you can see they were also getting beaten very easily. It is cricket, they can get out for 100 or 200, though 200-250 would have been a better score [from us].”Shah denied that his team was overawed by the occasion and said the toss played a crucial role. “First the pitch was damp, then it dried up, so the toss makes a difference. I have never seen Bombay, who have such a huge batting line-up, decide to bowl. They would not go and bowl, [unless] there is something in the wicket.”In the second session, with the pitch drying up, Aarpit Vasavada and Makvana seemed at ease in the middle, putting up Saurashtra’s only significant partnership of the innings and perhaps pointing to better batting conditions on the second day. Shah disagreed. “It was not easy to score runs. We gave their batsmen eight overs and they just scored about 10-12 runs, so it was difficult for them, too.”For Saurashtra to compete, they will need someone to bowl like Kulkarni did. He cut out the loose deliveries, and generally probed around off, getting the odd one to kick up and others to snake around. It helped him that he got a wicket in his first over itself, when Sagar Jogiyani nicked the ball to slip. “I was confident, got five wickets before this game, so I just carried it forward,” Kulkarni said. “I would have felt great if I had got that five-for [again]. I was bowling well throughout the season, the only thing missing was the wickets.”Like Kulkarni, Mumbai, too, can be pleased with their first day’s efforts. And unless Saurashtra manage to pull off a dramatic turnaround, the whispers around their batting thriving only on the notoriously flat pitches of Rajkot will only get louder.

In comparison to events in Mohali, the build-up in Wellington could not have been more mundane

Andrew McGlashan in Wellington13-Mar-2013Publicly, at least, players from both England and New Zealand are playing a straight-bat to what is happening with Australia. Privately, you suspect, they are all desperate for the gossip.”It’s very hard for me to comment on something I’m not part of,” Alastair Cook said. “I’m a long way away from it. You do have an interest in it – of course you do, because you’re interested in cricket – but the main focus for us is the start of tomorrow’s game.” Brendon McCullum’s tone was very similar.Each of these teams has recent experience of what internal strife can do. Kevin Pietersen’s ‘reintegration’ dominated the latter part of last year for England while New Zealand had to deal with the scrappy transition of leadership from Ross Taylor to McCullum. There was a short-term hit with both: England lost their Top test ranking to South Africa (although Pietersen’s presence in the final Test may not have saved it) and could not defend their World Twenty20 crown. New Zealand went to South Africa, minus Taylor, and were hammered in both Tests.However, there was soon light at the end of the tunnel. England secured an historic series win in India, during which Pietersen played a defining role with a breathtaking 186 in Mumbai, and New Zealand gained a galvanising one-day series victory in South Africa and their mini-revival continued in the first Test in Dunedin. Although both these situations are not entirely comparable to Australia’s predicament (despite Mickey Arthur referring to the Pietersen situation) it shows that, however rocky the current status appears, sport often shows a great ability to move on quicker than imagined.That is not to say that England and New Zealand are without any issues – sporting teams are rarely without a problem or two – but the sides that will go head-to-head in Wellington over the next five days have pulled together on the field. That, in the end, is what the supporters want to see.In comparison to events in Mohali, the build-up in Wellington could not have been more mundane. Most interest centred on Pietersen’s knee but both Cook and Andy Flower have tried to dampen the issue. Pietersen took a full part in training in both warm-up days although he continues to have his knee heavily strapped.McCullum confirmed that New Zealand will be unchanged and it is expected that England will follow the same route. The home side has gone to great lengths to ensure the pace bowlers are recovered from their high workloads in Dunedin and they have barely bowled in preparation for this match. Perhaps it was mind games, emphasising that his bowlers are fresh, but McCullum made it very clear that he would bowl first again. Of course, that doesn’t mean he has to when the coins goes up on Thursday morning.Who holds the advantage? It is a familiar question when a Test ends in the manner of Dunedin with one side being on top throughout the match, but the other producing an impressive rearguard to hold out for a draw. On a couple of occasions under Andrew Strauss, England used the belief gained from saving a game to win the following fixture. Against Australia, in Cardiff, in 2009 they survived nine down then won the Lord’s Test handsomely and on the 2009-10 tour of South Africa another last-wicket survival, at Centurion, was converted into an innings victory in Durban. On a different note, England’s eventual success in India stemmed from the fighting second innings in Ahmedabad, which was again led by Cook.On the flip side, New Zealand have shown that they remain capable of capitalising on a team that doesn’t keep its concentration. All the talk of how the University Oval pitch killed off a chance of a result is misguided. There were nearly four sessions lost to the weather and England ended 128 ahead with four wickets in hand. Another day and there would certainly have been a winner. For McCullum, the significance of New Zealand’s performance in Dunedin was not putting England in their place but instead giving his own team confidence after the recent problems.”I think England respect us anyway, so it wasn’t about sending messages to them; it was about sending them to ourselves that we are good enough to compete with the best teams and able to do it for long periods of time,” McCullum said. “Being able to dictate a Test is something we’ve not been able to do for a period of time against a top quality team and it was a nice feeling to do so. It has raised the expectation, which is a nice place to be.”For the next five days nothing matters to these two teams except what happens in the middle of the Basin Reserve. Perhaps, though, in a more relaxed moment or two, there might just be half an eye on Mohali.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored her seventh ODI fifty to guide the side to a five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first ODI in Ahmedabad

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Apr-2013
ScorecardIndia captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s seventh ODI fifty guided the side to a five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first of the three ODIs in Ahmedabad.Chasing 195, India had a sluggish start and Harmanpreet came in to bat when the score was 37 for 2 in the 13th over. An 83-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Harmanpreet and Anagha Deshpande revived the chase for India. Once Deshpande was out for a 50-ball 47, Harmanpreet and the lower middle order took India home with four balls to spare. Harmanpreet’s unbeaten 63 came off 100 balls and had only three fours.Earlier, Bangladesh chose to bat first and scored 194 for 9. They began at a fair pace but lost their openers quickly. Rumana Ahmed (38) and Lata Mondal (39) steadied the innings, but their partnership of 57 took 98 balls, slowing down the innings. After the pair was dismissed, captain Salma Khatun held one end up, bringing up her first ODI fifty. She received little support from the other end, however, as the Indian bowlers, led by left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht, dismissed the middle and lower order. Khatun was unbeaten on 75 at the end of the innings and her 82-ball knock included 11 fours. Bisht finished with 3 for 27 while Shubhlakshmi Sharma picked up two wickets.

The IPL is likely to shift the first two playoff matches out of Chennai, the venue listed in the original schedule

Amol Karhadkar and Nagraj Gollapudi20-Apr-2013The IPL is likely to shift the first two playoff matches out of Chennai, the venue listed in the original schedule. That decision is likely to be taken at the IPL Governing Council meeting in Chennai on April 22 in the wake of mounting pressure from various franchises, who are adamant that not having the option to pick their Sri Lankan players reduces their strength considerably at Chepauk.Under political pressure from the Tamil Nadu government to not allow Sri Lankan players to participate in the Chennai matches, the IPL had asked franchises to not include the 13 Sri Lankan players in the tournament. But with the close competition at the top of the table, BCCI officials have indicated to ESPNcricinfo that the IPL would need to change its original stance.”Irrespective of the teams who make it to the top four, the games will have to be shifted from Chennai due to their sheer importance. There are going to be at least two teams with Sri Lankan players who will make it to the last four. And it would be unjust on the teams to change their strategy due to a state government’s decision,” an Indian board official said.According to IPL rules, the defending champion stages the last two matches of the tournament while the losing finalist gets to host the first two matches of the closing stages. With Chennai Super Kings finishing as runner-up last year, Chennai had been slotted to host the first qualifier (first versus second) and the eliminator (third versus fourth) on May 21 and 22 respectively.Some of the franchises were peeved at the fact that the Super Kings need not worry about playing their two Sri Lankan recruits, Nuwan Kulasekara and Akila Dananjaya, considering they had a strong and settled line-up. In contrast, teams like Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors and Sunrisers Hyderabad would be forced to bench high-profile names like Lasith Malinga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis, Kumar Sangakkara and Thisara Perera.If the IPL takes the decision to shift the games then it also removes the bias element, as pointed out by certain franchises who feel the home advantage Super Kings have in the league phase is critical in a closely-fought tournament. It is also understood that security is not the stumbling block.The franchises continue to remain united and want the knockout matches moved out of Chennai. “You can’t do that (stage the playoffs in Chennai). When it comes to the Eliminator I would be horrified if we end up playing in an environment where there is no level playing field. If there are grey areas then you need to move the venue so that the tournament is played at the same level by all teams,” one of the franchise’s coach said.According to him, a team could possibly bounce back during the league phase since there are 15 matches, but in the knockout phase there is not more than one chance. Hence the IPL does not “have to” but “must” move the games out of Chennai. “Chennai Super Kings as it is have a home advantage in the league matches with a strong line-up compared to some of the opposition, who at times have been forced to bench their Sri Lankan players, thus weakening their own strengths,” the coach said.

Peter Trego and Arul Suppiah set Somerset on the path to their third win from three games in the Yorkshire Bank 40

19-May-2013
ScorecardPeter Trego ensured Somerset were always ahead of the asking rate•Getty Images

Peter Trego and Arul Suppiah set Somerset on the path to their third win from three games in the Yorkshire Bank 40 as they overcame Middlesex by six wickets with 25 balls to spare at Taunton.Middlesex were restricted to 252 for 9 after they had lost the toss, with seamer Steve Kirby claiming four wickets and leg spinner Max Waller chipping in with three scalps. But despite going at more than a run a ball, it proved a below par total as Trego and Suppiah bludgeoned 81 and 60 respectively before James Hildreth and Jos Buttler saw the hosts over the line.After being put into bat Middlesex openers Chris Rogers and Dawid Malan looked untroubled as they took the total onto 73 before Craig Meschede entered the attack and had Rogers, on 29, well caught at deep midwicket by Alviro Petersen.Malan looked comfortable but was on 49 when he pulled Max Waller to James Hildreth at short midwicket. The leg spinner struck again soon after by firing in a quicker ball which Paul Stirling drove straight back to the bowler.Waller changed ends and claimed his third victim when Adam Rossington tried to clear the midwicket ropes and was caught by Lewis Gregory for 12. With the total on 139 for 4 Neil Dexter and Joe Denly came together and took the total onto 222 before Gregory had Dexter (37) leg before wicket trying to work the ball to fine leg. The fifth wicket partnership added 83 in just over 12 overs. In the penultimate over Kirby claimed three wickets in four balls to ensure no final flourish with the bat.Somerset openers Marcus Trescothick and Trego started briskly and it was latter who brought up the 50 with two to backward square-leg off James Harris in the seventh over. Gareth Berg broke the partnership at the start of the eighth over after being introduced into the attack when he had Trescothick, looking to steer the ball to fine leg, caught behindTrego was joined by Suppiah and it was the former who brought up the 100 with a single to mid-off in the 14th over. A single into midwicket off Tim Murtagh’s next over saw Trego to 50 off 46 balls.Suppiah showed his best form of the season with the bat and went to his half-century with a lofted straight drive off Malan. When Tom Smith returned to the attack, Trego hoisted his first ball over midwicket but two deliveries later was caught by Rogers at long-on for 81. The second wicket partnership between Trego and Suppiah yielded 110 runs in 14.3 overs.Suppiah had moved onto 60 when he top edged Harris into the air to Rossington with the total on 173. Hildreth (37 not out) made his intentions known straight from the off when he pulled Harris to the midwicket boundary and then proceeded to take 18 off Corey Collymore’s fourth over.At the opposite end Petersen had been subdued until he drove Smith high over long-on for six. The South African Test batsman had moved onto 17 when he was caught at long-off by Smith off Murtagh. Buttler (27 no) came to the crease with 30 still needed but the England limited-overs batsman showed typical panache and finished the job in style with a six over midwicket with the penultimate ball of the 36th over.

Michael Clarke has admitted the off-field drama surrounding the Australia team has affected preparation for his side’s must-win group match against Sri Lanka

Andrew Fidel Fernando16-Jun-2013Michael Clarke has admitted the off-field drama surrounding the Australia team has affected preparation for his side’s must-win group match against Sri Lanka, but said Australia remained focused on achieving their first win of the tournament, and progressing to the semi-finals. 


Australia must defeat Sri Lanka to earn a semi-finals place, and if England win their final group match against New Zealand, they must win well enough to outdo New Zealand’s net run rate. They lost their opening match to England by 48 runs, and had the second match rained out.”The feeling in the camp has obviously been a little bit different over the past few days because there’s been a little bit of disappointment in one of our players,” Clarke said. “But I can guarantee you we left it there – after I did the press conference a couple of days ago now – and now we’re looking forward. Our focus has been preparation for this game against Sri Lanka and staying focused on what’s important.”The rain played a part in interrupting training yesterday, but a lot of the guys came and trained indoors. The day before, we trained really well as a team, and I know all the guys are looking forward to playing against Sri Lanka tomorrow.”Clarke was uncertain if he would be available to play on Monday, but expressed confidence in George Bailey, who led the side in the first two matches. Bailey hit a fifty in each of those games, and has been a consistent middle order presence since breaking into the ODI side, having maintained an average of 46 – which improves slightly when he is leading. Clarke was ruled out of the early part of the tournament due to a flare-up of a long-standing back injury.”I think George [Bailey] has done a great job. I think his performances over the past four months have been outstanding for us in one‑day cricket. He continues to lead from the front, and I think he’s captained the team really well in my absence and will do again tomorrow if I’m unavailable to play.””My back is feeling ok. I’ll have to train today with the boys and see how I pull up tomorrow. But I’m hopeful, there’s no doubt about that.”Clarke also had praise for Adam Voges, who he hoped would help add leadership and stability to what has at times been a brittle batting order. Voges hit 71 in the last match against New Zealand and averages 51.50 in 19 ODIs.”Vogey brings a lot of experience. He’s a class player and has been in first‑class cricket for a long time. His one‑day record for Australia is outstanding. So I guess he’s coming in trying to fill that Michael Hussey role batting at five and six for us, but also with the experience and leadership that he brings. He’s a great guy, I love having him around and it’s really nice to see him batting as well as he is at the moment.”

ESPNcricinfo previews the chances of the teams in the Friends Life t20 Midlands/Wales/West Group

Vithushan Ehantharajah26-Jun-2013Gloucestershire (25-1)
Overseas players: Michael Klinger, Dan Christian
T20 pedigree: A solid limited-overs outfit, as displayed by their YB40 form so far, they finished as runners-up in 2007 when a Ryan McLaren hat-trick ensured Kent didn’t have too much of a chase on their hands.
Prediction: Potential quarter-finalists, particularly with the signing of Australia allrounder Dan Christian, who helped Hampshire win the title in 2010. Last season, Scott Styris’ incredible 37-ball century took the last-eight game against Sussex out of their reach before they even had a right of reply. Gloucestershire will be hoping Christian can allow them to inflict that kind of knockout blow on others.Northants (25-1)
Overseas players: Cameron White, Richard Levi
T20 pedigree: Four quarter-finals and a semi-final seems just about right given the resources available to Northants. Their only visit to Finals Day came in 2009 where they fell in the first game to the eventual winners Sussex.
Prediction: Former Australia captain White brings a wealth of experience and short-form nous, while Levi – at Somerset last season – is responsible for the fastest international T20 hundred but the loss of Trent Copeland will be a big miss. Alex Wakely Steven Crook and David Willey are also influential players but they will need to excel throughout if they are to get out of the group.Somerset (4-1)
Overseas players: Alviro Pietersen, Yasir Arafat
T20 pedigree: Winners in 2005, Somerset suffered the ignominy of finishing as runners-up three years in a row from 2009. The perennial bridesmaids had to settle for a seat in the congregation for last year’s final after losing in their semi to Hampshire.
Prediction: A strong batting line-up has always taken them far. Their bowling dovetails the experience of Alfonso Thomas with the raw talent and pace of Craig Meschede and Jamie Overton, while Peter Trego is one of the best allrounders in the country. Anything less than a Finals Day spot will be seen as a disappointment. The question is, after so much disappointment, can they rediscover their nerve?Warwickshire (16-1)
Overseas players: Jeetan Patel
T20 pedigree: Failure to get out of the group stages in 2012 ended a run of four straight quarter-final appearances (seven in all). Runners up in the inaugural competition, they are undoubtedly the best of those who are yet to win the competition.
Prediction: Their YB40 form has been abysmal, with none of the batsmen seemingly able to construct a worthwhile innings. The chance to really free their arms might help the likes of Varun Chopra and Rikki Clarke and it looks like England might not have much use for Chris Woakes during the competition. If the same goes for Boyd Rankin, they could blast a few top orders out. Otherwise, they won’t get out of the group.Glamorgan (33-1)
Overseas players: Marcus North, Nathan McCullum
T20 pedigree: Aside from a semi-final in 2004 and quarter-final in 2008, Glamorgan have consistently failed to get out their group. The loss of Dirk Nannes through injury is a blow but his replacement Nathan McCullum is top 10-ranked in international T20.

Prediction: Their trio of Aussies – captain North, Jim Allenby and Michael Hogan – will be dangerous but, unless one or two individuals around them like Mark Wallace and Mike Reed can put in big performances then it’s unlikely that we will see them in the final eight.Worcestershire (33-1)
Overseas players: Thilan Samaraweera, Andre Russell
T20 pedigree: Three quarter-finals is their lot. Russell is an exciting substitute for Jacob Oram, who had to pull out of FLt20 duty because of a hernia. Players like Daryl Mitchell and Jack Shantry are very handy limited-overs players
Prediction: Australia’s Phillip Hughes topped the 2012 competition’s scoring charts with 402 runs in just eight innings and in his absence another quarter-final appearance looks unlikely. Mitchell and Moeen Ali – in the form of his life this season – could step up to carry the burden of run-scoring but both will struggle to match Hughes’ expansiveness.Odds from bet365.com

Kyle Coetzer and David Sales both struck centuries as Northamptonshire’s batsmen dominated the second day against Gloucestershire at Wantage Road.

03-Aug-2013
ScorecardDavid Sales made his 27th first-class ton•PA Photos

Kyle Coetzer and David Sales both struck centuries as Northamptonshire’s batsmen dominated the second day against Gloucestershire at Wantage Road.Scotland international Coetzer was the first to reach his milestone as he made 122 off 230 balls to help promotion-chasing Northants to eventually close on an imposing 369 for 3. Sales was to put some previous patchy form behind him as he then hammered an unbeaten 126 from only 137 deliveries, while captain Stephen Peters also contributed 87 off 153 balls.Northants began the day on 13 without loss, 345 runs behind their opponents, with Peters resuming on 12 and Coetzer on 1. Peters, who is playing in his first championship match since returning from a broken finger, was to go on to complete a half-century off 78 balls. That came as part of a mammoth opening partnership with Coetzer as Gloucestershire’s attack struggled to get much out of a placid wicket.The hosts resumed after lunch on 112 for 0, with Coetzer soon reaching 50 himself off 116 deliveries as his side picked up where they left off. In the end it came down to 18-year-old first-class debutant Tom Shrewsbury to finally break the stand on 170 when he forced Peters to edge to Gloucestershire wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick.But any hopes the visitors had of this breakthrough bringing a change of fortunes were dashed as Sales piled on 135 alongside Coetzer for Northants’ second wicket.Coetzer was to complete his eighth century in first-class cricket and his third in all competitions this season off 202 balls with a straight four off James Fuller with the final delivery before tea. Veteran Sales, who had previously been finding runs hard to come by this season, then raced to his first half-century of the campaign off 67 balls early in the evening session.Having batted so well, Coetzer finally departed tamely in the final over before the second new ball was due when he chipped Benny Howell to Chris Dent at midwicket. But there was no stopping Sales completing an explosive century – his 27th first-class ton – off just 107 deliveries with a crunching four through midwicket off Fuller.Alex Wakely (13) then became the first batsman to miss out on a big score as he nudged Fuller behind with five overs of the day left. Australia international Cameron White then survived until the close along with Sales and will resume tomorrow on 6 not out with the hosts looking for a huge total.

Glamorgan’s chances of reaching the Friends Life t20 quarter-finals disappeared as Gloucestershire trounced them by nine wickets in the final group match at Cardiff.

31-Jul-2013
ScorecardMichael Klinger saw Gloucestershire storm to victory•Getty Images

Glamorgan’s chances of reaching the Friends Life t20 quarter-finals disappeared as Gloucestershire trounced them by nine wickets in the final group match at Cardiff.Chasing 142 to win, captain Michael Klinger helped Gloucestershire achieve the double over Glamorgan with 86 from 59 balls with 11 fours and a six, as Gloucestershire won with 22 balls to spare.Glamorgan needed to win to qualify for the last eight but it was a disappointing end to their T20 campaign after they had won their opening four games. Glamorgan, who included former England bowler Simon Jones, were put into bat and could only make 141 for 5 from their 20 overs despite Jim Allenby batting through the innings, scoring 85 from 58 balls with four sixes and six fours.His dominance was highlighted with only two other batsmen – Marcus North and Murray Goodwin – getting into double figures. And out of 13 boundaries in the innings Allenby struck 10 of them with Glamorgan struggling to dominate a largely inexperience attack.Openers Allenby and captain North, who was promoted up the order, gave the home side a useful platform scoring 41 from the opening six-over Powerplay. But runs dried up as North was bowled by the impressive Benny Howell leaving Glamorgan 55 for 1 in the ninth over.The big-hitting Chris Cooke failed to make his mark as he holed out to deep midwicket for just 6 and Nathan McCullum, pushed up the order, was out leg before. It saw Glamorgan struggle to 73 for 3 in the 12th over.Glamorgan failed to get a boundary from the eighth to the 14th over until Allenby struck his fifth four which saw him reach his 50 from 42 balls. It was Allenby’s third half century in nine T20 matches this season. Allenby struck a six to bring up the 100 and followed that up with another six off the final ball of the innings.Gloucestershire, through Klinger and Chris Dent, made a positive start reaching 18 for 0 after the first two overs from Michael Hogan and Jim Allenby. Klinger and Dent each struck a boundary off Wagg as Gloucestershire reached 32 after four overs.Glamorgan gambled on slow left armer Dean Cosker bowling the final over of the Powerplay but 12 runs came from it as Gloucestershire reached 50 for 0 after six overs. After Gloucestershire had got to 65 for 0 after eight overs McCullum came into the attack to have Dent caught at long-off.By the halfway stage Gloucestershire reached 79 for 1 with 15 coming off the 10th over from Simon Jones. Klinger went to a 37-ball half-century as Gloucestershire cruised to victory in the 17th over.

Faf du Plessis, who captains South Africa’s Twenty20 side, believes he is not yet ready to lead the team in ODIs

Firdose Moonda27-Aug-2013Faf du Plessis has admitted that his ODI form must improve if he hopes to take over as the ODI captain in the future. Du Plessis already leads South Africa’s Twenty20 side, and has been widely tipped to eventually succeed AB de Villiers, who has been burdened with the role of skipper, senior batsman and wicket-keeper. However, du Plessis does not see himself as a suitable candidate just yet.”My performances need to be better if I want to be considered as ODI captain. In Sri Lanka, I was under pressure to score runs and I knew that,” he told ESPNcricinfo.In the last 12 months, Du Plessis has managed only two half-centuries in the 21 matches he has played – an unbeaten 62 against Netherlands in May, and a 72-ball 57 against New Zealand in January.His lean patch extended to the shortest format of the game as well, but du Plessis ended the drought with an assured 85 in the last T20 on South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka last month. “It meant a lot for me to score runs in that last T20,” he said. “I needed them badly.”His own showings aside, du Plessis achieved something bigger when he became the first captain to take South Africa to a series win in Sri Lanka. After a below-par ODI showing in which they were defeated 4-1, South Africa clinched the three-match T20 series 2-1. A notable difference in the two series was in the leadership. While de Villiers struggled in his decision-making and was often behind the over-rate, du Plessis made crucial bowling and fielding changes, appeared in control most of the time, and admitted that he was enjoying his job.”I love captaining and adding value in that way,” he said. “I like giving the talks that a captain gives and dealing with the high pressure times. I even like taking the flak of making decision myself, like when it comes to bowling changes. The captain needs to make tough decisions and I don’t mind making them.”Du Plessis was a captain at school level and occasionally in the domestic set-up. So despite his relatively young age when he was promoted to T20 captain in November last year, he was deemed to have had the required skills to cut it at the top. He had only played four T20s when he was handed the role, but immediately set about trying to establish a style of leadership and earn the confidence of his team.”If you’re honest with players, they respect you,” he said. “Everybody knew we were experimenting a bit and we will try a experiment a little more because we need have our best combinations.” The World T20 and 2015 World Cup are only six and 18 months away respectively, but South Africa are still toying with new combinations and strategies under the new coach Russell Domingo.Through the process of settling on a line-up, du Plessis is hopeful that his own ODI showings will get better, if only because he will have some stability to get into a rhythm. Currently, he has been stationed at No.4 in the line-up, between JP Duminy and de Villiers, and Domingo has indicated he will keep those positions, even as Jacques Kallis makes himself available for more ODI cricket.Du Plessis, for one, can see the benefit of a definite plan. “It’s nice to have a more stable role because before I was batting everywhere and now I am able to get used to a role,” he said. The only person du Plessis thinks can float is de Villiers who he said “has to bat at the most crucial part of the game,” because “he is just the best in every situation.”With de Villiers identified as South Africa’s gun player, it would not be too surprising to see him relieved of the extra duty of leading in the near future, although du Plessis would not be drawn on how his long-time friend feels about leadership. “AB and I are different captains and we use each other, when it comes to discussing things. I’d love to captain the ODI side but I know it’s not going to happen at the moment,” he said. “The captain needs to be the first name on the team sheet, so I have to make sure I am there.”A format du Plessis feels he does not have to worry about his place in is the longest one, which South Africa will resume with two Tests against Pakistan in the UAE in October. After his match-saving hundred in Adelaide against Australia last November, du Plessis thinks he has “done enough,” to be a certainty in the starting XI despite JP Duminy, the man who du Plessis replaced, returning to fitness.Duminy has made a full recovery after rupturing his Achilles’ on the tour Down Under, and has been reintroduced into first-class cricket through South Africa A in order to force a Test comeback. He was the top-scorer in last week’s unofficial Test against India A and also contributed with three wickets, to show his value as an all-rounder.Du Plessis expects Duminy to make a comeback, but not at his own expense. “JP has done brilliantly since coming back and having him in the team only makes it stronger,” he said. “He would slot right back in.”That implies Dean Elgar, who has played in six Tests since Perth last year, would find himself out in the cold. “But if Graeme (Smith) does not recover in time, Dean can just slot in at the top,” du Plessis said. Smith is expected to be fit for the series after a lengthy time out of action with an ankle problem but if there is a setback in his rehabilitation, South Africa may have to turn to Elgar, who is an opener by trade.There’s no doubt that the management will do everything they can to ensure Smith is part of the squad, as South Africa will play the Tests in conditions that have already got the better of England. Although South Africa beat Pakistan 3-0 at home earlier this year, du Plessis expects the going to be much tougher in the Emirates.”You just have to look at England and how easily they were beaten to know it won’t be easy,” he said. “Spin will obviously be the biggest challenge and that’s what we will be working on.”