#FafduPlesis retires from Test cricket

Here's a thread on my most memorable test inning of Faf that came in his debut test match itself and happens to be one of the best ever innings played on Test match debut. 
He made 110* off 376 deliveries and secured a draw for SA !

It was the 2nd Test of the 2012/13 series between South Africa & Australia and the latter had posted an improbable target of 430 for the visitors to chase in the 4th inn.
SA’s start was a disastrous one. Skipper Graeme Smith departed for a duck in the 1st over. Hashim Amla, Alviro Petersen and Jacques Rudolph didn’t muster much between them, leaving the visitors reeling at 45-4. All this with 29 overs left on day 4.
In walked du Plessis, joining de Villiers in one of the most fascinating blockathons in modern-day cricket. The latter took an uncharacteristically defensive approach,consuming 220 deliveries for his 33. The fall of AB's wicket did not deter du Plessis though.
He was then joined by Kallis, who himself was battling with a hamstring strain. Together they took South Africa to tea with 5 wickets still intact.
In the final session, Du Plessis, having spent an hour in the nineties, completed an epic hundred, an innings Michael Slater described as being, “full of courage and full of pride.”
After Nathan Lyon had Kallis undone by sharp bounce, Steyn hung in for a 28-ball duck, Morne Morkel also hung in somehow and Faf du Plessis showed extreme determination and batted on with the tail to secure an epic draw for South Africa.
"You honestly can't put it into words," he says. "We didn't even win the game, it was a draw. But after that, the team had so much confidence.."
"I'd played for South Africa before but that moment, still today, it's the best moment of my career." he'd described that innings !
Do retweet this if you like the thread ! Made this while my classes were going on !😂😂

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Watching this play sent me down a memory hole that gave me goosebumps as well as a pang of guilt. Let me explain. A THREAD!


In 2011, I was hosting the ESPYs. Marshawn’s run was nominated for Best Play, an award that was voted on by fans online. It was considered a front runner if not a lock.

Two days before the show, we're all watching the US/Brazil game in the Women’s World Cup. In the 122 minute Abby Wambach scored a header from a brilliant cross via Megan Rapinoe. I asked ESPN’s estimable producer, the late, great Maura Mandt if we could add it to the nominees.

The best thing about the ESPYs is, unlike other award shows that take themselves too seriously, there is a “fuck it, why not” attitude so Maura just made it happen. Maura was great at making things happen. Want another example?

One of the highlights of the ESPYs is the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. When my son Ashe was born Maura gifted him this fake ESPY for BEST CHILD NAMED ASHE. I am confident this is the only ESPY anyone related to me will ever win.

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