Faf du Plessis announces retirement from Test cricket
After nine years as a Test cricketer that saw many ups and downs, Faf du Plessis has announced his retirement from the longest format of the game with immediate effect.
The debut endures as one of the finest Test innings ever played when du Plessis joined forces with his school friend AB de Villiers to block the Aussies on their path in Adelaide to secure a historic draw. Since he grew from strengths and strengths to become an important cog in the South African wheel and later ended up as their skipper as well.
Du Plessis, who turned up for South Africa in the last month’s Pakistan series, came to his decision after the Australia series was postponed indefinitely following Cricket Australia’s sudden decision of pulling out of the tour citing health reasons.
“It has been a year of refinement in the fire for us all. Uncertain were the times, but they brought clarity for me in many respects. My heart is clear and the time is right to walk into a new chapter.
“It has been an honour to play for my country in all the formats of the game, but the time has come for me to retire from Test cricket,” du Plessis said in a statement on his Instagram account.
“If someone had told me 15 years ago, that I would play 69 Test matches for South Africa and captain the side, I wouldn’t have believed them.
“I stand in a place of utmost gratitude for a Test career full of blessings bestowed on me. Every high and low has shaped me into the man I am proud to stand up as today. In all things, those instances worked towards the good of who I believe I am today.”
He ended his career with 10 centuries and 21 half-centuries in Test cricket, ending with 4163 runs at an average of 40.02, and had a respectable captaincy career as well, with 18 wins and 15 losses.
His knock of 199 against Sri Lanka at Centurion last year was his best in Test Cricket.
Du Plessis to continue to play T20Is and ODIs for South Africa
With 2 World Cup slated in the next two years – in India and Australia respectively – the former South African skipper has decided to channel his energy to the limited-overs cricket and thus want to gain vital strength ahead of the mega event.