A career-best, record-breaking 185 from Faf du Plessis blasted the Proteas to 367-5 against Sri Lanka at Newlands.
If Du Plessis wasn’t already in the form of his life, he surely is now. After hitting 55 not out in the first ODI, he’s since backed that up with two centuries in three matches.
It means Gary Kirsten’s 188 not out against UAE in 1996 will remain South Africa’s highest individual total in the format, but this was the best score at Newlands, surpassing David Warner’s 178 in October last year and smashed his previous best of 133 not out against India in 2013. It was the joint-14th highest ODI score of all time.
It was also the highest total ever in an ODI at Newlands, cruising past the 354-3 they amassed against Kenya in 2001.
It’s been a sensational run from Du Plessis, who began his resurgence of form as captain across the formats last year, and has only improved with AB de Villiers taking the skipper’s armband away from him in this series.
Considering that the side batting first at Newlands have won 22 of the 28 matches played, Sri Lanka have their work majorly cut out. If they want to salvage some consolation out of this tour, not only will they have to surpass 200 for the first time in this series, but they’ll have to cross the 350-mark too.
Batting first was always going to be the order of the day as Tabraiz Shamsi came in for his first game of the season while Wayne Parnell returned, seeing Chris Morris and Andile Phehlukwayo reduced to the bench.
Hashim Amla departed early for one as Lahiru Kumara forced an edge to slip, but it was just one partnership after the next from there.
Quinton de Kock looked in the mood and found the boundary with ease, bringing up a ninth ODI fifty off just 40 balls. Du Plessis was stroking the ball beautifully too, and the pair had a century stand by the 17th over.
De Kock tried one big shot too many to depart for 54, but it wasn’t about to get any easier for the Sri Lankans as De Villiers strode to the crease. Another century stand followed, and their effectiveness as a pair at the crease was telling, with the fact that they contributed 49 runs apiece in the stand.
Then came a 50th ODI fifty for De Villiers and an eighth century followed for Du Plessis with very next delivery .
The shot-making was crafty and innovative from the pair, which eventually brought about De Villiers’ downfall for 64 off 62 balls, attempting a scoop only to be bowled for Sachith Pathirana’s second scalp. Another useful 47-run stand followed, this time with JP Duminy in the middle.
Duminy fell for 20, but Du Plessis powered on and found a much more attacking partner in Behardien (36 not out), as they brought up a fifty stand off 25 balls. Du Plessis just got better and better as the innings wore on, smashing 22 runs off the 46th over to cruise closer to the countless records.
The ultimate record, beating Kirsten’s 188, was not to be, slapping one straight to the fielder on the straight boundary in the last over. But what he has done, is place the Proteas in an excellent position to bag a 13th consecutive ODI win at home and 10th consecutive ODI victory.
Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images
