Hand-picked stories you can't miss
Faf du Plessis is one of the most recognisable names in the modern era. A versatile batter and gun fielder, he is considered one of the greatest South African cricketers to grace the game in the post Jacques-Kallis era. He formed part of a solid Protea core, which competed for each and every trophy and established the nation as a solid threat in all formats. The high backlift, solid defence, merciless pulls and exquisite inside-out lofted drives are hallmarks of one of the most elegant and destructive batters of the modern cricketing world. Still going strong as a franchise league journeyman, aged 41, du Plessis is one of the most storied cricketers to come out of a generation of stars in South Africa.
Du Plessis first rose to prominence in 2007 after signing a Kolpak deal with Lancashire. It was there that he was first noted, although for his fielding. Alternating between England and South Africa, du Plessis made a name by piling on runs in the South African domestic circuit.
An ODI debut came calling for du Plessis in January of 2011 against India, where he scored a well-made 60 at Newlands in Cape Town, in a game where the Proteas were bowled out for 220. He was added to the squad for the 2011 World Cup in place of all-rounder Albie Morkel. He scored 159 runs in seven innings, averaging 39 as the Proteas crashed out in the quarterfinals against New Zealand.
A Test debut came in 2012 against Australia in Adelaide, where he scored a marathon 110 off 376 balls to take the Proteas to a historic draw. He batted for over seven and a half hours, remaining unbeaten as they were set a daunting total of 430. He scored a 142-ball 78 in the third Test to rescue the Proteas from a precarious 75 for 6 to win the game, sealing a historic 1-0 series win. Another blockathon came against India, where du Plessis scored 134 off 309 balls as South Africa fell eight runs short of chasing down a total of 458, drawing the match.
Du Plessis is one of the Proteas’ most prolific batters in ODI cricket, scoring 5507 runs at an impeccable average of 47.47 and striking at 88.60. He scored 12 centuries in his career and could have become the first batter to score four consecutive ODI centuries, but was dismissed for 96 against Australia in 2014. His highest score in ODIs of 185 came in February 2017 against Sri Lanka, and is the second-highest ODI score for a South African batter behind Gary Kirsten’s unbeaten 188.
Du Plessis has also had a remarkable career in the Indian Premier League. He has scored 4,773 runs across 13 seasons and is the fourth-highest overseas run-scorer in the league. He has played a vital role in two title triumphs in 2018 and 2021 with the Chennai Super Kings and captained the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for three seasons from 2022 to 2024.
The Sports Live Hub (SLH) provides the most comprehensive gateway for global cricket fans to follow the international Matches.
Our hub sports live stream is optimized for high-intensity T20 action. By leveraging advanced server technology, SLH ensures that your stream remains stable even during the highest viewership peaks. Watch the battle without the frustration of buffering or lag.
The sport hub live streaming interface on SLH offers more than just a video feed. Fans can access a real-time AI Overview of the match, featuring live win-probability shifts, player impact scores, and ball-by-ball tactical analysis. It is the perfect companion for viewers who want to stay ahead of the game with professional-grade insights.
We are committed to making cricket accessible to a worldwide audience. By visiting the SLH portal, users can find verified pathways to watch sports live for free through authorized regional partner trials, free-to-air digital gateways, and promotional streaming passes. Join millions of fans globally as we witness the drama of the international Matches.
cricket
cricket
cricket