South Africa T20 captain Faf du Plessis welcomes new no-ball rule

South Africa’s Faf du Plessis sits dejected after the 2015 World Cup semi final

South Africa T20 captain Faf du Plessis has welcomed the change in the ODI no-ball rule, saying that the change will produce better contests in the death overs. The new no-ball rule, brought into play for the first time during Sunday’s T20 between Bangladesh and South Africa, is part of a set of proposed changes to limited overs cricket rules proposed by the ICC.

The no-ball rule is the only change that has been introduced already, with all the other changes scheduled to be introduced over the course of 2015. Previously a free-hit was given after a no-ball that resulted from a foot fault only, but from now on all no balls will cost the bowling team a free hit.

Du Plessis said that the new rule would discourage bowlers from throwing beamers in the death overs. “I think it's a good rule”, he said.

“Games (are) won and lost when guys bowl beamers. Obviously when that rules comes in, it will make a huge difference."

T20 most important cricket this year: Du Plessis

Du Plessis also looked forward to a long season of T20 cricket lined up for South Africa. In between the ongoing tour of Bangladesh and the World T20 Cup in India in 2016, the Proteas host New Zealand and England before going on a tour of India.

“It's nice from a captain's point of view that the Twenty20 is more important this year," he said.

"Last year the focus was on ODI cricket. It's nice this year (that) all the big players are available for the games."