South African cricketer Faf du Plessis declared his retirement from Test cricket on february 17.
He represented South Africa in 69 Tests and scored 4163 runs at an average of 40.02. He scored 10 centuries and recorded his highest knock up of 199 in 2020.
He began his red ball career against australia in Adelaide in 2012, where he scored 78 in the first innings and then smashed his inaugural Test centenary in the second innings.
“My heart is clear and the time is right to walk into a new chapter,” the former South African cricketer wrote in a post on Instagram with two T20 World Cups in the next two years. Du plessis added that he is moving towards the shortest format of cricket.
“My focus is shifting towards T20 format because of the ICC T20 World Cup3. Because of this, 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 included.
“It has been a tribute to play for my country in all the formats, but the time has come for me to retire from Test Cricket,” he declared in his statement.
“It has been a year of clarification in the fire for us all. Uncertain were the times, but they brought clarity for me in many respects. In all things, those in case worked towards the good of who I believe I am today. 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 am just making T20 cricket the priority in the short-term. Every high and low has shaped me into the man I am proud to stand as today,” he added.
“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.” wrote Faf du Plessis.
“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 you like to give a note of thank 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,” he said.
“If someone had told me 15 years ago, that I would play 69 test matches for South Africa and captained the side, I wouldn’t have believed them. I stand in a place of uttermost gratefulness for a red ball career filled with blessings bestowed on me,” he said.
He ended his red ball career in Rawalpindi against pakistan earlier this month.
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