25 November,2016 08:35 AM IST | | AFP
Faf du Plessis, motivated by the events of his controversial ball-tampering case, ranked his unbeaten century in South Africa's pink-ball Test with Australia Thursday as the best of his career
South Africa's Faf du Plessis celebrates his 100 against Australia in Adelaide yesterday. Pic/AP
South Africa's Faf du Plessis celebrates his 100 against Australia in Adelaide yesterday. Pic/AP
Adelaide: Faf du Plessis, motivated by the events of his controversial ball-tampering case, ranked his unbeaten century in South Africa's pink-ball Test with Australia Thursday as the best of his career.
The Proteas skipper hit an unbeaten 118 and then caught the Australians off-guard with a surprise declaration at 259 for nine to have the tourists in a good position at the end of the opening day of the third Adelaide Test.
Australia, who were unable to use David Warner to open the innings over the time he sought off-field treatment, got to stumps at 14 without loss.
It had been a tumultuous few days for du Plessis, who was found guilty of ball-tampering by the International Cricket Council (ICC)âÃu00c2u0080Ãu00c2u0088after he was caught on camera sucking a mint and rubbing saliva into the ball during last week's second Test against Australia in Hobart.
Given all the drama it was a remarkable effort by du Plessis to post his sixth Test century, one he rates as his best.
"My best ton ever. I felt really good, and in the context of everything else, (it was) the best," he told reporters.
118
Faf du Plessis' sixth 100 in his 34th Test came off 164 balls with 17 hits to the fence
