Faf du Plessis heartbreakingly lost his wicket on 199, but he managed to help the Proteas post 621 and take a lead of 225 runs in their first innings of the Boxing Day Test, writes Khalid Mohidin.
SESSION MOMENTS: FAF DU PLESSIS BRINGS UP PERSONAL BEST
What a remarkable day of cricket for the South Africa. Particularly for former captain Faf du Plessis for whom it was a day of milestones.
Although Du Plessis lost his wicket one run away from bringing up his first-ever double century, he smashed his previous career-best score (137), scored his 10th ton and brought up 4,000 Test runs.
He was the key provider of runs for the Proteas, coming to the crease on Day 2 with the Proteas on 240-3, and stuck around for the majority of the day.
He helped South Africa to their the highest innings total ever against Sri Lanka. The previous best came in Cape Town in 2012 (580-4dec).
It was also the first 600-run total since 2016, when they scored 627/7d against England. It was also the highest ever score by South Africa at Centurion.
Du Plessis scored all around the ground, particularly favouring the cover drive, scoring 55 runs in that region (9 fours).
With Du Plessis on the brink of his first ever double century, he looked to go over the top but picked out mid-on, the changing room visibly distraught as he walked off the field.
He was supported well by Keshav Maharaj, who scored his 3rd Test half-century. He loved the bowling of Fernando who he hit for two clean maximums over square leg.
The pair put on 133 before the heartbreaking moment.
Maharaj finished on a career-best 73 off 106 balls (six fours and two sixes).
South Africa posted 621 with a lead of 225.
With an hour and a half left in the day, Sri Lanka started their second innings. The Proteas struck early through Lungi Ngidi, who swung in a delivery coming around the wicket to Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, taking out his off stump.
He struck again in the following over, finding the outside edge of Kusal Mendis’ bat straight to Rassie van der Dussen at first slip.
Sri Lanka ended the day on 65-2 and trail by 160.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
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