Key Takeaways
Faf du Plessis, a modern South African batting legend, excelled across all formats.
Notable performances: 78 & 110* vs Australia (2012), 199 vs Sri Lanka (2020), 185 vs Sri Lanka (2017).
Stats: 4,163 Test runs, 5,507 ODI runs, 1,528 T20I runs.
Faf du Plessis is one of South Africa's most accomplished all-format players, known for his elegance, consistency, and crucial centuries across formats. His career stands out with memorable innings against top teams. Faf Du Plessis is one of those rare South Africa batters that have a hundred in all 3 formats of the game. Let’s look at his records.
Faf Du Plessis played 69 Test Matches for South Africa and in those Matches he scored 4163 runs at an average of 40.03 with 10 Test hundreds to his name. He has a best score of 199 in test cricket. He has also played 143 ODIs for South Africa and he has got 5507 runs at an outstanding average of 47.47 with 12 ODI hundreds. He has also played 50 T20IS for South Africa and in that he has got 1528 runs for South Africa at an average of 35.53 with 1 hundred. Now, let’s look at his Top 5 Best Innings.
What are Faf du Plessis' best innings?
Faf du Plessis’ top batting performances include his remarkable 78 and 110* against Australia in 2012, where he saved the Test match in his debut series. He also scored a near double-century, making 199 against Sri Lanka in 2020, showcasing his attacking style and dominance. In 2017, he played a brutal 185-run innings against Sri Lanka in an ODI, one of his finest knocks. Another standout performance came in 2018 when he scored 125 against Australia in an ODI, leading South Africa to a victory. His only T20I century, a blistering 119 against West Indies in 2015, remains a defining moment in his T20 career, with a strike rate of 212.50.
Top 5 best innings of Faf du Plessis
78 and 110* vs Australia (2012)
Faf du Plessis' debut Test match performance at the Adelaide Oval is one of the most memorable in recent history. Scoring a combined 188 runs across two innings against a top-tier team, he showcased immense skill and composure. In his first innings, he made a solid 78 from 159 balls, with 13 fours and a six. However, it was his remarkable 110* in the fourth innings that truly stood out. Facing 376 balls and hitting 14 fours, he batted through the tension, saving the match and securing his first Test century in just his second innings. This performance was a testament to his mental strength and technical ability, earning him a spot at the top of this list.
199 vs Sri Lanka (2020): Faf du Plessis highest score in test
Faf du Plessis' highest score of 199 came in 2020 against Sri Lanka, a sensational innings where he came agonizingly close to a double century. Despite missing the milestone by just one run, the knock was a brilliant display of attacking cricket. Du Plessis smashed 24 fours, accumulating 96 runs in boundaries, and struck at an impressive rate of 72.10. His aggressive approach dismantled the Sri Lankan bowlers, ensuring a comfortable victory for South Africa. While he would have been disappointed to miss out on the double hundred, this innings was undoubtedly a defining moment in his career.
185 vs Sri Lanka (2017): Faf du Plessis highest score in ODI
Faf du Plessis has a remarkable record against Sri Lanka, with his 185-run ODI innings in 2017 standing out as one of his finest. This innings was a brutal display of batting, where he scored 185 of South Africa's total 367 runs in the 50 overs. Du Plessis hit 16 fours and 3 sixes, accumulating 82 runs in boundaries and maintaining a strike rate of 131.21. It was an extraordinary performance that showcased his attacking prowess, and while it was a thrilling spectacle for fans, it was a challenging outing for Sri Lanka.
125 vs Australia (2018)
Faf du Plessis' 125-run innings against Australia in 2018 is one of his standout performances in ODIs. Batting first, Du Plessis took just 114 balls to reach his century, striking at an impressive 109.65. He hit 25 fours and 2 sixes, totaling 72 runs in boundaries. His knock was instrumental in helping South Africa win the match by 40 runs, and he was undoubtedly one of the key players in securing the victory.
119 vs West Indies (2015)
Faf du Plessis' 119-run innings against West Indies in 2015, despite South Africa's loss, is a remarkable example of T20 hitting at its best. South Africa posted 231 runs in their 20 overs, with Du Plessis contributing 119 runs off just 56 balls. He hit 11 fours and 5 sixes, amassing 74 runs in boundaries. His strike rate of 212.50 was exceptional, making this his only T20I century for South Africa. Though the match ended in a loss, Du Plessis' blistering knock was a memorable display of power-hitting.
Faf Du Plessis Stats
Format | Test Cricket | ODI Cricket | T20I |
Matches | 69 | 143 | 50 |
Innings | 118 | 136 | 50 |
Runs | 4,163 | 5,507 | 1,528 |
Highest Score | 199 | 185 | 119 |
Average | 40.02 | 47.47 | 35.53 |
Strike Rate | 46.32 | 88.60 | 134.38 |
100s | 10 | 12 | 1 |
50s | 21 | 35 | 10 |
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