Cricket South Africa | Player Profile

Francois du Plessis

Faf du Plessis forced his way into the Proteas’ ODI line-up during the 2010/11 season through share weight of runs when he hit 3 centuries and made more than 500 runs in the domestic 40 overs competition. He carried this form into his debut ODI against India with a half-century and can look back on satisfactory career statistics with a strike rate of 89 after 26 matches including being a regular choice throughout the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

He had an outstanding 2012 IPL campaign with the Chennai Super Kings in the new role of opening batsman and consequently played in the unofficial T20 series in Zimbabwe. He subsequently made his T20 International debut against England and was selected for the ICC World Twenty20 squad.

He took another important step forward when he was called up to the Castle Lager Test squad for the series in England and retained his place for the following tour to Australia.

Faf was always destined for greater things after making his under-19 debut for South Africa on the tour of England in 2003. His career was, however, put on hold for 3 years as he developed his game playing for Lancashire from 2008 to 2010. It proved a worthwhile exercise as his potential was quickly spotted once he became available for the Proteas again.

In addition to his batting skills, he is one of the best all-round fielders in the country and bowls part-time leg-breaks to complete an excellent limited overs package.