Birthday special: Faf du Plessis – Lesser-known facts about Proteas star
Faf du Plessis has achieved laurels in his international career so far, and his dream of getting to represent his country is still alive. While playing in the T20 leagues across the world, Faf gives his best for whichever team he plays and leaves a solid impression. Regarded as one of the best cricketers of his generation, Faf took South Africa to newer heights while leading the side. Apart from his national side, he has represented many teams in league-based tournaments and is one of the top-drawer players in T20 cricket.
As the Proteas star turns 39, let us look at some lesser-known facts about him
5. Refused an offer from Nottinghamshire to continue South Africa dream
At the age of 21, du Plessis was offered a place in Nottinghamshire as he received a Kolpak deal. Accepting the deal meant representing England’s national team in the future, thereby breaking ties with cricket in his nation. But his love for the sport and his dream to represent his national team on a global level made him refuse the offer.
4. A prodigious leg spinner with two consecutive T20 five-fors
His rising punches with the bat are well known, but his bowling leg-cutters are rarely seen or known to any. Du Plessis took a five-wicket haul for the Titans in a game against the Lions in the 2012 MiWAY competition. But prior to this incredible bowling performance, he had taken a five-wicket haul for the Northerns against the Easterns in 2011.
3. A 466-minute-long, memorable Test debut
Faf du Plessis had a debut to remember, as in his very first outing for the Proteas in the whites, he notched up a magnificent century. Playing against Australia in November 2012 at Adelaide, and hit a half-century in the first innings. He continued the good form even in the second innings and batted for 466 minutes while facing 376 deliveries and scoring an unbeaten 110 to help his side pull a draw.
2. First South African to score a century in every format
Faf du Plessis’ career reached its peak when he became the first-ever Proteas player to notch up a century in all the formats of the game of cricket. After hitting his maiden Test 100 on debut, Faf hit his first ODI century in 2014 against Australia and breached the three-figure mark in T20Is against West Indies in 2015.
1. First international captain to defeat Australia in Australia in all three formats of the game
Faf du Plessis did the unthinkable when he achieved a feat that no other international captain had ever done. Only two captains have led their team to a victory against Australia in Australia across all formats of the game, and Faf was the first one to do it in the year 2018. His RCB teammate Virat Kohli is the only other skipper to have etched his name in this elite list.
