Is Faf du Plessis’ international career all but over?
South Africa has produced some of the indisputable legends in the game of cricket. Even as cricket in the nation remains surrounded by controversies of different kinds, the players do not disappoint in doing what they are supposed to do. One of such cricketers from the rainbow nation is Francois du Plessis.
A reliable batter, smart leader, and one of the safest fielders, du Plessis is a cricketer par excellence. Having made his debut for South Africa in 2011 in the Cape Town ODI against India, du Plessis has scored 5507 runs at an average of 47.47 with 12 centuries and 35 fifties in 143 games. If his numbers in the 50-over game are brilliant, Faf in Tests or T20Is is not behind.
Thank you for your service @faf1307
Like this tweet to say thank you to Faf. ?#SeeUsOnThePitch pic.twitter.com/Q7MDMDZwiJ
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 18, 2021
He has represented the nation in 69 Tests, scoring 4163 runs at an average of over 40, including 10 centuries and 21 half-centuries, while in 50 T20Is, the right-hander has scored 1528 runs at 35.53 with a solitary century and 10 fifties. Players often want to finish their careers on a high, du Plessis did that in a literal sense as his final Test innings turned out to be a career-best and match-winning 199 against Sri Lanka before hanging his boots in the longest format.
“The next two years are ICC T20 World Cup years. Because of this, my focus is shifting to this format and I want to play as much of it as possible around the world so that I can be the best player I can possibly be,” du Plessis said in his retirement post, addressing that he wants to focus more on the shorter format of the game.
“I strongly believe I have a lot to offer to the Proteas in this format. This does not mean that ODI cricket is no longer in the plans, I’m just making T20 cricket the priority in the short-term,” he added.
There is hardly a doubt over the credentials of someone as qualified as Faf du Plessis, but being on the wrong side of the 30s does raise a few questions on how long he is going to last. But if his recent exploits are anything to go by, he looks as good as anyone. The South African smacked 320 runs from just seven games at a staggering average and strike rate of 64 and 145.45 respectively in the now-suspended 14th edition of the Indian Premier League.
Even as South Africa’s record in big tournaments has remained a curious case, a player of du Plessis’ experience and calibre is what no team would refuse. He might be getting towards 37, but still runs like an 18-year-old, dives and tumbles to pluck the toughest catches, score runs for fun and remains one of the fittest players in the world, let alone South Africa. This much is enough to tell that he is far from over and instead has plenty left in him. South Africa needs all of what Faf’s got if they fancy competing in the upcoming tournaments but it is startling to see that the veteran hasn’t been picked for the West Indies tour.
