Published: Feb 02, 2017, 09:33 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 02, 2017, 09:40 PM (IST)
Faf du Plessis is amongst the finest batsmen in South African cricket across formats. The Test and T20I skipper is also an important member of the ODI side. On Wednesday, his Man-of-the-Match performance helped South Africa to a 2-0 lead against Sri Lanka at Kingsmead, Durban. He scored his seventh ODI hundred and was involved in a 117-run with David Miller, who slammed 117 not out from just 97 balls.
Later, du Plessis would go on to grab 3 catches during the Sri Lankan innings, as the visitors collapsed to 186. Apart from being a very good batsman and a terrific leader, du Plessis also happens to be one of the finest fielders in world cricket. Why is he considered that? An example came into fore during the second ODI.
Sri Lankan opener Niroshan Dickwella, who had a fantastic T20I series, had started well in the run chase. Sri Lanka were 45 for no loss in the eighth over when an incredible piece of athleticism sent Dickwella back to the pavilion. The southpaw stepped out attempting to drive over cover. At first, the ball seemed to be beyond du Plessis’ reach. He took a few steps to the left, and leaping high, he plucked the ball from the air. A tumble on the ground and then a hug from his skipper and childhood buddy AB de Villiers.
Dickwella departed for a 22-ball 25. Du Plessis has made taking blinders a habit. A good one, of course. Earlier, he had taken another stunner in the Test series, which he considers as a better effort than this. He went on to speak about his acrobatics.
“Someone once told me that if you fear getting hit on the finger or if you fear what happens when you fall, that’s when you are going to get hurt because you go into it 50-50. But if you go into balls-to-the-wall, if I can say that, then you are going to be okay,” was quoted as saying in a report from ESPNCricinfo.
