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South African batsman Faf du Plessis has announced his retirement from the game's most extended format. Du Plessis featured in his first Test match back in November 2012 against Australia. He played his last Test match game against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. The batsman had an abysmal outing with the bat in Pakistan, as he registered scores of 10, 23, 17, and 5.
In his Test debut, Du Plessis was awarded Player of the Match for his 78 and 110 not out in a remarkable draw. He helped South Africa bat out four-and-a-half sessions on a wearing pitch. The 36-year-old took over Test captaincy from AB de Villiers in 2016, leading the Proteas team in 36 Test matches. He ended last year with a splendid knock of 199 against Sri Lanka. It was also his highest score in the game's purest format. Du Plessis gave up the captaincy after a disappointing 3-1 series loss to England, last year. Overall, Du Plessis has guided South Africa to 18 Test wins and 15 losses. The batsman stated that his focus has now shifted to T20 cricket. But ODIs will also remain a part of his plans.
Plessis out of the South African domestic T20 tournament
Du Plessis has scored 4,163 runs in Test format at an average of 40.02, including 10 centuries and 21 half-centuries. He played for South Africa in 69 Test matches. Du Plessis, who is a veteran with 143 ODIs and 50 T20Is, will be available in both formats. The batsman stated that he is keen to be a part of the T20 World Cup, scheduled for later this year in India.
Despite his prominence in the shortest format, Du Plessis is not a part of any of the six squads that will compete in a South African domestic T20 tournament. CSA's director Graeme Smith had mentioned that all nationally contracted players would be obliged to play in the competition considering South Africa does not have any international fixtures scheduled until April. However, no reason has been given for his absence. Quinton de Kock is also going to miss the tournament after being granted a mental-health break.