In an exhilarating display of power-hitting, the captain of the Joburg Super Kings, Faf du Plessis, reignited his form by blasting a rapid 20-ball fifty in a rain-affected match against MI Cape Town at Newlands. This whirlwind innings from the experienced South African cricketer was instrumental in propelling his team to a comprehensive victory in the truncated game, as they raced to a 98-run target in just 5.4 overs. Du Plessis’ aggressive batting performance is a significant signal to the South African selectors as the T20 World Cup approaches, showcasing his undimmed prowess and leadership.
Before the match, du Plessis had experienced a series of underwhelming performances in the ongoing SA20 tournament, managing only minor contributions with the bat, with the exception of a promising 25* off 12 balls in the recent match against the Pretoria Capitals. A string of low scores such as 17, 9, 10, 7, and 6 had haunted him, and the Super Kings were struggling to secure wins, achieving only one victory in their last seven matches, which included two disrupted by weather. Despite the challenges, du Plessis’ resurgence could not have come at a more opportune time, helping his team to reinvigorate their campaign for a spot in the knockout stages.
The Super Kings were presented with a daunting task as the match was cut short, leaving them with a revised target of 98 in just 8 overs. MI Cape Town had set a total of 80 in their allocated 8 overs, with Kieron Pollard contributing a significant 33 runs off just 10 balls. The run chase commenced with fervor as England’s Leus du Plooy unleashed back-to-back sixes in the first over, laying the groundwork for what was to follow. Du Plessis, feeding off this momentum, launched into Kagiso Rabada’s bowling with a six and four in the subsequent over, and then proceeded to hammer 20 runs in Rabada’s next over. By the sixth over, the Super Kings needed just nine runs and achieved the target with ease, even receiving a wide delivery from Pollard to secure the win.
The Super Kings’ triumph was sweetened with the addition of a bonus point, elevating their position to fourth in the standings with 13 points from 8 matches. This victory comes as a statement of intent and a demonstration of the team’s potential, especially with du Plessis at the helm, rediscovering his touch.
Post-match, du Plessis reflected on the team’s recent experiences with weather disruptions, the bowlers’ outstanding performances given the conditions, and the importance of intent displayed by the batsmen from the start. He admired du Plooy’s audacity to hit the first ball of the innings for a six, underscoring the bold approach that set the tone for the superlative chase.
Overall, this monumental effort from Faf du Plessis not only boosts his confidence but also injects a sense of belief within the Super Kings’ camp. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, performances like these serve as timely reminders to national selectors of the destructive abilities of seasoned players like du Plessis. His rapid half-century is a testament to his enduring class and serves as a warning to all opponents that the veteran is still very much a force to be reckoned with in the shortest format of the game.
