Faf du Plessis retires from Test cricket

Faf du Plessis has introduced his retirement from Test cricket. Announcing his resolution to give up the longest format of the sport on Wednesday, Du Plessis stated he needs to give attention to the shortest format for the following two years.
“My heart is clear and the time is right to walk into a new chapter,” Du Plessis stated in an Instagram put up.

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Du Plessis took over Test captaincy in 2016, and led the facet in 36 matches earlier than relinquishing management final January. He ended final yr with a knock of 199 towards Sri Lanka, his highest rating within the format. The knock had been billed to be a message to detractors of his Test profession.
Du Plessis ends his Test profession with 4163 runs within the longest format, scored at a median of 40.02, involving 10 centuries and 21 fifties.
“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 blessings bestowed on me,” Du Plessis stated within the put up.

He additional stated: “The subsequent two years are T20 WC years. Because of this, my focus is shifting to this format and I wish to play as a lot of it as potential around the globe in order that I might be the perfect participant I can presumably 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 am just making T20 cricket the priority in the short-term.”