Easier fixtures in the beginning might have helped, says du Plessis

Out of the reckoning from the ongoing World Cup, skipper Faf du Plessis rued that had South Africa got an easier fixture at the beginning of the tournament things might have panned out differently for his team.

South Africa's first three games were against hosts England, Bangladesh and favourites India in the span of one week. They lost all three encounters, severely denting their confidence.

"That first week was really tough for us. But that's the sport we play. I think it is crucial, especially for a team like us in tournaments like these, that you need to start well," du Plessis said after his side's nine-wicket victory to Sri Lanka.

"If you start well, your confidence in your team will grow and then from there, anything is possible. But to start the way we did, you come here already with an expectation of needing to do well and then you go zero from three, and that expectation becomes a weight on your shoulders. That is a heavy burden to carry."