'Why start there?' — Faf du Plessis questions CSA's logic behind Proteas' Durban Test opener

Former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis has questioned Cricket South Africa's decision to host the opening Test against Australia at Kingsmead, citing both South Africa's record at the venue and concerns over crowd attendance.

Du Plessis is the only Proteas captain to lead South Africa to away and home Test series triumphs over Australia in 2016 and 2018 respectively since the country's return to international cricket in 1991.

The 2018 series was particularly combustible, dominated by the infamous Sandpapergate scandal in Cape Town, while Du Plessis himself had previously been at the centre of the "Mintgate" controversy when he was charged for using a sweet to shine the ball during the Hobart Test two years earlier.

Speaking on his cricinfo podcast following the Proteas' 214-run defeat, Du Plessis, said it was difficult to understand why the home nation would start a major series at a ground where the tourists have enjoyed sustained success.

The defeat extended the Proteas' poor recent record at Kingsmead, where they have now lost eight of their last 12 Tests. Australia have also won four consecutive Tests at the Durban venue dating back to 2009.

“For me, there's a big question mark that I would like to ask the powers of South Africa, whoever makes those decisions,” Du Plessis said.

“When you have a record as poor as you have at Kingsmead, Durban, and when Australia has such a good record — I think they've won their last four consecutive Test matches at Durban against us — and you start your first Test there, where you say to the opposition, ‘Let's start at a place where you are most comfortable in.’

“If I compare it to the other venues in South Africa — Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, Wanderers — at all of those venues, South Africa, the Proteas, have a superior record. So there's my first question that I would ask.”

While Du Plessis’ argument has merit to the point of the Proteas being successful at the venues he mentions against other nations, the record against Australia all over the country post-isolation leaves plenty to be desired.

The Highveld has been kind to the Aussies, with the tourists having won five out of seven Tests for a 71% success rate in matches played at the Wanderers, and having an equal 50% share in just two Tests at Centurion.

Even the Newlands citadel is in favour of the visitors, with the Baggy Greens having triumphed in four of the seven Tests under Table Mountain’s watch. It is only at St George’s Park in Gqeberha — the venue for this weekend’s second Test — that the Proteas have reigned supreme in two of the three Tests played there.

But Du Plessis believes it goes beyond just the Proteas’ unfavourable record at Kingsmead, and extends to the fact that the Durban venue has traditionally struggled to attract spectators for Test match cricket, hence the Boxing Day Test being moved to Centurion over the past few years.

“Secondly, from a crowd perspective, Durban is also the worst viewing numbers ground in South Africa,” he said.

“So all this hype, all this amazing talk before the first Test, South Africa against Australia, iconic series, 2018 is the last time they were here...

“Now they come back, no crowd, and you look at the TV and you go, ‘No, that's not good, man. I don't want to see that. I want to see a full crowd watching this big series.’”

Cricket South Africa were approached for comment on the scheduling of the Australia series on the opening day of the Kingsmead Test, but had not responded at the time of publication.