Faf du Plessis showed composure and class with a 58 off 40 balls for the Proteas in the 1st T20I against England at Six Gun Grill Newlands helping the hosts post a competitive 179/6, writes Lucy Rees.
The ex-Proteas captain was outstanding in his approach, scoring 20 runs in the 5th over during South Africa’s innings.
After being put in by Eoin Morgan, Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock opened up for the Proteas. With Bavuma falling for five in the first love. It was ex-skipper, Faf du Plessis next to take to the crease, in a situation he has found himself in quite often throughout the years.
In the third over, hitting the ball to point, Quinton de Kock started a run from the non-strikers end after Du Plessis took the speed off the ball with a cut shot.
Two overs later, Du Plessis hit his first boundary out of the ground and into the construction site, the next ball, he hit for a one-bounce four and the next another six. He ended the over by creaming Tom Curran through midwicket for four. This over went for 20 runs.
As the commentators said “Tom Curran has been Faffed”. This was a very aggressive over for Du Plessis as we saw how powerful and effortless he can hit the white ball around the park, and make it look easy at the same time.
With no spectators at the Six Gun Grill Newlands, it was down to England fielders to fetch the ball every time Du Plessis confidently smashed the ball into the empty stands.
Du Plessis had a very strong and sturdy partnership going with De Kock, just what South Africa fans want to see. Their 50 came from just 28 balls and this is the fifth time they’ve had a 50 partnership.
This partnership really got the Proteas going, it was a very key moment in South Africa’s innings and really built the game. It was well needed and without it, the team would have possibly come to a top-middle order collapse.
After the Powerade Powerplay, the Proteas were 57 for 1 off 6, with du Plessis on 28 from 16 balls.
Soon later we saw QDK fall to Chris Jordan as he was caught by England captain, Eoin Morgan as the Proteas were comfortably 82 for 2.
Finally saw Faf du Plessis innings come to an end as he was caught comfortably by Chris Jordan on 58 from 40 leaving the Proteas 110 for 3.
The Proteas finished on 179 for 6.
Final Player moments to come after the game.
Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
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