Faf du Plessis retires from Test cricket, says 'My heart is clear and time is right'

[MenInG]

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South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis has called it a day in Test cricket.

Du Plessis, who played 69 Tests for South Africa, announced his retirement from the format on Wednesday.

The right-hander captained his country in 36 Tests and scored 10 Test centuries for the Proteas.

The first of those hundreds came in a memorable debut against Australia at Adelaide Oval. Curbing his naturally attacking instincts, he scored a gritty and unbeaten 110 off 376 deliveries to salvage a draw, allowing South Africa to seal a series victory in the following match.

It was the kind of resilience that would come to define his Test career.

He would later become the only South Africa captain to lead his side to Test series victory over Australia both home and away.

The 36-year-old bows out of the format with an average of 40.02 and a high score of 199.

That high score came just two months ago as he helped South Africa to a total of 621 against Sri Lanka at Centurion.

Du Plessis will continue to be available for national selection in limited overs cricket.

“It has been a year of refinement in the fire for us all," du Plessis said in a statement posted on social media. "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.

“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 blessing bestowed on me.

"Every high and low has shaped me into the man I am proud to stand as today. In all things, those instances worked towards the good of who I believe I am today.

“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.

"I strongly believe I have a lot to offer 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 team.

"I will be in conversation with CSA over the next couple of months on what the future might look like for me over the next year to find a solution that works for both of us.

"For now I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who had an influence on my Test career. I would like to single out my wife and family in particular – I would not have been able to do without their support during the unforgettable journey that Test cricket has taken me on.

"To my coaches, teammates and support staff over the years, I would like to give a note of thanks and of course, to Cricket South Africa for the opportunity to represent and lead my country in the pinnacle of the game we all love. It has been an incredible journey, with many stories that I look forward to one day sharing."

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Congrats on a fabulous career. Sad day.. one of my favourite players.
A team man to the core.
The debut hundred was a stuff of legends.. Could have done so much more but it does not matter.
Thanks Faf.

 

[Savak]

He has badly underachieved, when he was selected for SA in 2010-11, a lot of great things were expected of him and many felt he could actually be the next ABD. He fell short and in any case his average had also badly declined in the last few years, he walked before CSA would ask him to move on. He had let South Africa down on many overseas tour where he had to step up.

 

[Ab Fan]

He was decent test player and a good LOI player. His knock in Adelaide 2012-12 was arguably the greatest test knock played on the Aussies soil by any overseas batsman. But he failed to live up to that hype.

Overall, a good player in great team but just a minnow basher in a weak team. I expected him to not lead South Africa to some of the humiliating defeats like against Bangladesh and West Indies in World Cup or losing the test series to Sri Lanka at home but anyways. All in all, a good test cricketer.

An outstanding fielder though, arguably the best of his generation , ahead of ABD in my opinion.

 

[saeed5646]

Under achieved massively. Could not performed to his potential

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Great career sprinkled with many innings of great substance and value all over. Congratulations to the last of the greatest batch of cricketers South Africa has ever produced. Without him, can't see South Africa competing home and overseas for a bit of time from now.

 

[Hyperion66]

Wow that's a big news, I wish him all the best for future. Played some of the clutchest knocks I have ever seen, a true champ and a team man. This is really the end of an era.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Great career.

There were some highs and lows, but he has served his country above all else.

Some of his knocks were truly mesmerizing.

Best of luck to him.

 

[szrana007]

He was decent test player and a good LOI player. His knock in Adelaide 2012-12 was arguably the greatest test knock played on the Aussies soil by any overseas batsman. But he failed to live up to that hype.

Overall, a good player in great team but just a minnow basher in a weak team. I expected him to not lead South Africa to some of the humiliating defeats like against Bangladesh and West Indies in World Cup or losing the test series to Sri Lanka at home but anyways. All in all, a good test cricketer.

An outstanding fielder though, arguably the best of his generation , ahead of ABD in my opinion.

South Africa didn't lose to the West Indies in the 2019 WC.

 

[szrana007]

Great career sprinkled with many innings of great substance and value all over. Congratulations to the last of the greatest batch of cricketers South Africa has ever produced. Without him, can't see South Africa competing home and overseas for a bit of time from now.

At home, they will still do well against the likes of Pak, SL, NZL and WI. Ind, Aus and Eng will beat them though.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

At home, they will still do well against the likes of Pak, SL, NZL and WI. Ind, Aus and Eng will beat them though.

I think Ind, Eng, Aus, NZ, Pak, SL and even WI if they find form can defeat SA at home in the void of good players. Things will turn around for them hopefully in 3 years though.

 

[Slog]

Blew the 2011 QF for SA

 

[szrana007]

I think Ind, Eng, Aus, NZ, Pak, SL and even WI if they find form can defeat SA at home in the void of good players. Things will turn around for them hopefully in 3 years though.

Lol, Pak, WI and NZL have never won a Test series in South Africa. Infact, NZL and WI haven't beaten SA in a Test series ( both home and away) in their entire history.

Note: I am excluding the one off test between SA and WI in 1992, which WI won.

 

[King_Kohli]

All the best Faf.
Great potential player.

 

[Ab Fan]

South Africa didn't lose to the West Indies in the 2019 WC.

The way they started, they would have probably collapsed under 150 in that game and end up with a loss like how Pakistan suffered against Windies. Good that rain and a couple of dead rubber wins in the end made sure that the level of humiliation in that World cup was reduced.

Anyways, he was a very good LOI player. His semi final knock in 2015 World Cup made up for blewing away the 2011 Quarter Final.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Lol, Pak, WI and NZL have never won a Test series in South Africa. Infact, NZL and WI haven't beaten SA in a Test series ( both home and away) in their entire history.

Note: I am excluding the one off test between SA and WI in 1992, which WI won.

India have never won there too. I'm saying the next 3 years many teams have the opportunity to register their first series wins on South African soil.

 

[MenInG]

JOHANNESBURG: Faf du Plessis, one of South African cricket’s most distinguished leaders, has announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect.

The 36-year-old announced on Wednesday that he was stepping away from the longest format of the game, following a career that spanned just over eight years and 69 matches for the Proteas. He will, however, remain available for the Proteas in limited-overs cricket.

Du Plessis’ statement is as follows:

“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.

“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 career full of blessings bestowed on me. Every high and low has shaped me into the man I am proud to stand as today. In all things, those instances worked towards the good of who I believe I am today.

“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. I strongly believe that 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.
“I will be in conversation with CSA over the next couple of months on what the future might look like for me over the next year to find a solution that works for both of us.

“For now, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who had an influence on my Test career. I would like to single out my wife and family in particular – I would not have been able to do without their support during the unforgettable journey that Test cricket has taken me on. To my coaches, teammates and support staff over the years, I would also like to give a note of thanks and of course, to Cricket South Africa for the opportunity to be able to represent and lead my country in the pinnacle of the game we all love. It has been an incredible journey, with many stories that I look forward to one day sharing.”

A top-order batsman of great tenacity and determination, he will be remembered as one of the country’s best captains with an impressive record of 10 centuries, 21 half-centuries and 4 163 runs at an average of 40.02.

Du Plessis announced himself unequivocally in the format when he scored 78 and 110 not-out on debut against Australia, becoming and remaining the only South African to have scored a half-century and century on Test debut. His match-saving 110* in the fourth innings of that match also remains the longest a South African has batted in the fourth innings of a Test match, at 466 minutes.

The Pretoria-born right-hander, who 12 months ago relinquished the captaincy of the Proteas, produced one of his finest innings for South Africa as recently as seven weeks ago when he scored 199 for the Proteas in their first Test match of the summer against Sri Lanka at his home ground in Centurion.

“Faf has been a prolific Test cricketer for the Proteas for a number of years now and to lose him in this format is going to leave another big gap in the team,” Cricket South Africa (CSA) Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith, commented.

“His commitment to the team has always been undoubtable and his transparency with Cricket South Africa about his plans has always been appreciated and we respect his decision, knowing he would not have come by it easily.
“I would like to thank Faf on behalf of CSA for his years of service and dedication to the Proteas’ Test team and we look forward to engaging further with him on how he can continue contributing to the team in a meaningful way,” Smith concluded.

Pholetsi Moseki, CSA Acting Chief Executive Officer said,

“Faf is a shining testimony of what one can achieve if they commit to it. His patriotism to cricket, impeccable leadership qualities, coupled with his insatiable commitment to imparting knowledge to budding cricketers speaks volumes of the rich legacy that he leaves behind.

“Much as CSA is saddened to see him retire from the longest format of the game, we are however comforted by the fact that he will still be part of our system, where his immense contribution awaits.

“CSA would like to thank Faf for dedicating the better part of his life to cricket and making South Africa proud on and off the field. He has certainly earned himself a special place in our hearts and a favourable chapter in the ledgers of history.”

 

[CricketCartoons]

India have never won there too. I'm saying the next 3 years many teams have the opportunity to register their first series wins on South African soil.

Such asterisk stained series wins are meaningless. Better win against full strength sides.

 

[Varun]

India have never won there too. I'm saying the next 3 years many teams have the opportunity to register their first series wins on South African soil.

If Sri Lanka can whitewash them there, we should at least look to win/draw our next series in SA.

A failed run chase stopped us winning there last time.

 

[Hasan123]

He had a solid test career. LO cricket is clearly his stronger suit.

The right decision to retire. JP Malan should be his replacement.

 

[asadee]

Good call. He looked all at sea during the test series

 

[gazza619]

Sad. Though he was off colour in the recent series, I reckon he still had 2 years of test cricket left in him.

I genuinely think cricket boards should stop players cherry picking certain formats. Either you are available for all formats, or you retire from all formats.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

An SA great. A clutch player. Spin proved to be his bane throughout his test career. Bet he could still score aplenty in home tests. It's just that he's weak against spin. Will be good for SA if he can keep playing till 2023 wc. He's probably their best batter in LOIs still.

Now that he's free from Test commitments, hoping to see him become a regular in PSL in future which would be great.

 

[Jabo]

sounds like a blow but isn't really
he had the potential but didn't ever pull it off
he was part of that legendary SA side

 

[Markhor]

Go well Faf.

 

[Firebat]

Only South African captain to lead his side to series victories vs Australia home and away. Solid Test career, healthy average and many memorable knocks.

Thank you Faf

 

[King_Kohli]

Only two captains won series in all formats in Australia.
First one Faf and then Virat.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Loved watching him but overseen some dubious behaviour

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

A great and highly underrated player. Will never forget his match-saving, stone-walling rearguard against Australia at Adelaide in 2012.

 

[silentkiller187]

if he was pakistani we would be saying he was an over rated under achiever

 

[sweep_shot]

He did well and I think he could've been a great captain if he had a better team.

All the best, Faf.

 

[OMB]

Great Teamplayer who always gave his best. That ATG century in Adelaide was one of the grittiest innings I saw.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Blew the 2011 QF for SA

Yeah. That WC was theirs for the taking and him and AB choked. That was the last time SA were truly a powerful ODI side.

 

[Rana]

QDQ is next to go.

 

[ElRaja]

not surprising, i think captaining south africa in tests has become one of the hardest jobs in world cricket, there's so much besides the cricket that takes its toll. time for faf to cash in on the last few years of his career, which is fair enough.

 

[Protea Fan]

Yeah. That WC was theirs for the taking and him and AB choked. That was the last time SA were truly a powerful ODI side.

How that was a chocking if you lost comfortably by a 50 odd margin in a low scoring match

AB was batting so well that day before the run out

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Thanks for the memories.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Great player and selfless move. Congrats and best of luck to the guy. Can't wait to see him in the PSL.

 

[Line and Length]

Faf retiring before his Test average dips below 40. Seriously though, fantastic player and person.

 

[Kroll]

Congrats to Faf.

Seemed like one of the last surviving members from the ABD, Amla and Steyn era.

 

[Ab Fan]

Thanks for the memories.

Faf's five best performances across formats:-

1. 110*, Adelaide 2012 vs Australia
2. 82, WC semi final 2015 vs New Zealand
3. J'Burg 458 run-chase 2014 vs India
4. 95, tri series final 2014 vs Aus
5. 118*, D/N test vs Australia 2016

Did I missed any?

 

[Nado_]

Big player of the last ten years, very good player and seems like a nice guy too.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

A decent but forgettable career.

Some good highs but on aggregate, not an elite or a tier 1 player.

Good bloke. Has chosen wisely to focus on white ball and earn a living.

 

[Saj]

A Test average of 40, 10 hundreds and 21 fifties.

About par really. He was a hard-working, honest batsman, but certainly not a world-beater.

Decent Test career though that he should be proud of.

 

[Chrish]

Smart move considering he was on a chopping block.

 

[MenInG]

93* for RCB as captain....

 

[MenInG]

93* for RCB as captain....

Out for 96

Stat: Highest scores for Faf du Plessis in IPL

96 CSK vs PBKS Mohali 2019
96 RCB vs LSG Mumbai DYP 2022*
95*CSK vs KKR Mumbai WS 2021
88 RCB vs PBKS Mumbai DYP 2022

 

[Ab Fan]

Not playing for South Africa but scoring tons of runs in IPL having announced his retirement. Isn't that a definition of mercenary?? But then doesn't matter, he just hasn't been as important a player for South Africa..

 

[Saj]

It's interesting the number of players who score heavily in T20 leagues once they retire from international cricket.

It's almost like they get a second lease of life once they don't have the pressure of performing for their country.

 

[gazza619]

It's interesting the number of players who score heavily in T20 leagues once they retire from international cricket.

It's almost like they get a second lease of life once they don't have the pressure of performing for their country.

So i guess league cricket is far easier than international cricket? I am sure our Indian buddies may disagree.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Faf and Imran should have been selected for wt20 2021 and should be selected for the upcoming wt20 2022. He's better than the likes of Reeza Hendricks and Klaassen. Bavuma is solely there as a captain.

A middle order of Faf, Markram, Rassie and Miller would be real dynamic and explosive.

 

[Smbhayi]

Not playing for South Africa but scoring tons of runs in IPL having announced his retirement. Isn't that a definition of mercenary?? But then doesn't matter, he just hasn't been as important a player for South Africa..

Well SA cricket board not considering him for the selection atm so can't fault him..

 

[Smbhayi]

It's interesting the number of players who score heavily in T20 leagues once they retire from international cricket.

It's almost like they get a second lease of life once they don't have the pressure of performing for their country.

More importantly they got enough rest..

 

[MenInG]

 

[zoeyfactor]

Why isn't he playing PSL??

 

[ChipShot]

Why isn't he playing PSL??

Maybe he wanted some rest between SA20 and IPL

 

[MenInG]

In IPL 2023:

 

[daytrader]

Speaking on the latest edition of The ICC Review, Karthik said, "I'm not at all surprised with Faf’s form because I think he's a terrific player. He's a very good leader as well.

"In the last four, five years of IPL, he's been very consistent and he's just had another year where he's been even more consistent, even more effective, even more powerful."

"I think South Africa will be missing a trick if they don't take him to the World Cup. I think he is ready. He is somebody who can make a difference as a leader, as a batter,” Karthik said.

"So I genuinely wish Faf says yes, when South Africa asks him because he will make an impact at that World Cup if he's there."

 

[MenInG]

Having endured a tennis-elbow injury for approximately two years now, Faf du Plessis will finally undergo surgery for the same. During this period, the South African had been playing by using cortisone injections as a temporary solution but it appears that things have reached a stage where a long term solution is preferred.

The decision to undergo surgery meant that the 39-year-old had to leave the ongoing Caribbean Premier League season midway with his team St Lucia Kings currently sitting atop the points table. The team has had two wins, a loss and two no-results from five games with Du Plessis scoring 112 runs in three innings.

"Happy with the results but obviously sad [that] I'm leaving at a crucial stage in the tournament when you feel like the team can start doing some really good things in the tournament," du Plessis said at the post-match presentation of St. Lucia Kings' latest game.

"For me, the challenge with the elbow is I've played with it (tennis elbow) for almost two years; I've had eight cortisone injections into my elbow. So I'm at a stage where the cortisone is not good for my body anymore; so that's why the operation is always the last resort. I didn't want to do it, but [have] time off now. I've got to basically go from here to get off the plane into the hospital to get the surgery done."

One of Du Plessis's resurgence in T20 cricket in recent years has been intent in the PowerPlay in the shortest format. Be it in the Indian Premier League or the SA20 or the ongoing CPL, Du Plessis has been imperious in the first six overs of the innings and has shown his power game in full range. However, the elbow injury has had an impact on his gameplay.

"[During] the last while I did feel a little bit of loss of power - all because of the pain, which sometimes pulls the power back," du Plessis said. "So you just have to play a game where you feel like maybe hitting at 80% power, and [on] fields like this [in the CPL] a little bit smaller, you can just time the ball."

Du Plessis's exit means that the St. Lucia Kings will have Sikandar Raza as the new captain for the remainder of the season. Losing a key player who is also the captain is never ideal for any side but Du Plessis opined that the squad had enough leaders in the side to manage things and threw his weight behind Raza to do an efficient job.

"Raza is someone who has played a lot of T20 and T10 cricket. So very much an experienced brain there; so it's great to have those guys on the field and ask questions. Obviously, it's a change, and probably you could say a big change because it's someone stepping into the shoes for the first time with the St Lucia Kings. But luckily, we've got someone like Sammy there who will make sure for the first one or two games there will be some direction from his side. And then trust the guy on the field with the resources that he has at his disposal."

"Always for me, it's about pulling people in for the journey, and try and ask questions. And I feel that's the best way, according to me, to run things," du Plessis said. "You use the resources that you have. Roston Chase has been great. For me on the field, [it's] just speaking to him about local players and asking questions. Johnson Charles is a great cricket brain. He's not a guy who says a lot, but [is] a great thinker.

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