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Cullinan takes aim at Proteas

Cape Town - Former Proteas batsman Daryll Cullinan has criticised Proteas coach Russell Domingo and captain Faf du Plessis in the wake of the Proteas' exit from the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh.

Speaking on ESPN's Match Point, Cullinan reflected on South Africa's loss to India in their semi-final, highlighting South Africa's inability to win big tournaments.

"This is South Africa's 11th semi-final in a major (involving five or more teams) limited-overs tournament, only once have we won (the ICC Champions Trophy in 1998)," said Cullinan.

Cullinan accused the Proteas team of flawed thinking and said the Proteas' decision to play AB de Villiers at No 5 in the batting order, and to hold Dale Steyn back in the bowling attack for the final overs had cost the Proteas.

"You don't weaken a strength by strengthening a weakness. Steyn was there to try and pull the game back but came in too late to influence the game."

"Any batsman knows you need time to get in. In this format it is even more precious. De Villiers is the best player (in the Proteas team) to finish games but he needs time to get in," said Cullinan.

Cullinan had harsh words for Domingo and Du Plessis.

"The sooner SA Cricket realise that Russel Domingo will not take this team forward and that Faf de Plessis has a long way to go as captain, the better.

"You have to point fingers at their thinking in terms of how they think games can be won, everyone else has firm beliefs on it except those two," concluded Cullinan.
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