Faf: Phehlukwayo has evolved into better cricketer

Cape Town - Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis has praised the development of allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo after another encouraging display in the third ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday. 

Phehlukwayo, largely tipped to be South Africa's first-choice allrounder at this year's World Cup in England, smashed 38* off just 15 balls (5x4, 1x6) as South Africa posted 331/5 from their 50 overs. 

It was exactly the type of cameo that Du Plessis and the Proteas brains trust will want to see from Phehlukwayo in the build-up to the tournament. 

While his bowling and the variation he shows with the ball are what make him such a highly-rated player, the 23-year-old Phehlukwayo's batting ability has been the major question mark hovering over his game. 

But a recent run of good scores have come at the perfect time. 

Scores of 69, 67 and 68 have been Phehlukwayo's last three contributions for the Dolphins in the One Day Cup, while his 69* in the 2nd ODI against Pakistan in Durban in January was a sublime effort. 

Speaking of Phehlukwayo's hitting display on Sunday, Du Plessis was clearly pleased.

"Brilliant. It was power hitting, but there was a lot of smart cricket through that as well," the skipper said.

"The way that Andi (Phehlukwayo) was sitting back and expecting Malinga to bowl slower balls and not trying to just hit sixes, using the angles and looking at the field, it shows that his game is evolved, and he has grown into a better cricketer.

"It's great to see."

Phehlukwayo has been included in South Africa's 15-man squad for the final two ODIs against Sri Lanka.