CAPE TOWN – Gary Kirsten’s long-time ODI record only just survived at Newlands on Tuesday evening, but the record-chaser Faf du Plessis admits he was not even aware of the milestone.
Du Plessis fell three runs shy of equalling Kirsten’s magnificent 188 not out against the UAE at the 1996 World Cup when he stroked an equally wonderful 185 against Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI.
But Du Plessis claims he did not even have the record on his mind when he was caught on the long-on boundary with only four balls remaining in the innings.
Faf du Plessis scored 185 to help SA to a record total in the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka. Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
"I didn't know about the record. I am very happy that I got to 180," Du Plessis said. "The record is something that would have been nice but not for one second did I think of it and 200 was also not on my mind. I was just trying to get as many runs as possible."
Du Plessis’s innings was unique in that there was no great acceleration as his innings progressed. It was just steady batting with each of his three fifties only requiring three less balls for each one. They were punctuated with 16 fours and three sixes, but the hallmark of the innings was Du Plessis’s strike rotation as he collected 77 singles and 13 two’s. Considering the heat and wind that was prevalent at Newlands on Tuesday afternoon, Du Plessis’s stamina and fitness was certainly put to the test.
"That's my game, which is to not give many dot balls. I try and make sure I take pressure off myself by just rotating the strike and running well and, luckily in our team, we've got amazingly quick guys between the wickets and we've put a lot of pressure on the opposition," he said.
"Our ones and twos stats right through the series have been incredible - we've got two or three times the number of the Sri Lankans. That is so difficult to bowl to - when you get guys that continuously run you off your feet."
Faf du Plessis celebrates his century in the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka at Newlands. Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
It certainly helps that Du Plessis spent the large part of his innings with Quinton de Kock (100-run partnership for the second wicket) and AB de Villiers (137-run for the third wicket) as they are two of the fastest runners in the South African team.
Du Plessis, though, is just happy to have his old school friend back in the Proteas team alongside him after De Villiers’s lengthy absence from the national team through injury.
"Since AB has come back, we've worked really well together. I can feel that on the field we talk from the same mouth almost," Du Plessis said.