South Africa batsman fell short of his maiden double century in Tests by just one run as he holed out to mid-on fielder
Nervous nineties are one thing, nervous one-nineties are another. However, for Faf du Plessis it wasn't nervousness, it was rush of blood, to get to the magical 200 number, his first-ever double-century in Test cricket. Alas! It wasn't to be.
South Africa started the day being in a good position and ended the day being in an outstanding position. It felt like only one team showed up on Monday to play the game as the visitors struggling with injuries had a horrendously long day in the field and allowed South Africa to pile on runs.
Faf du Plessis and Temba Bavuma too off from where they left at the end of the second day. They just kept batting. Du Plessis reached his 10th Test century and just was there for the Saffers.
Bavuma, although got out after completing his fifty, but played a well-compiled knock of 71 runs. All-rounder Wiaan Mulder also played a decent hand of 36 as South Africa didn't look in any mood of mercy on Monday.
Du Plessis kept finding partners who supported him and didn't let Sri Lankan bowlers to get in the game at any point in time, who looked listless on the third day of the Centurion Test.
Spinning all-rounder Keshav Maharaj, however, came with a definite plan to take on the bowlers as he kept sending the SL fielders to the boundary to just pick up the ball.
Maharaj and Du Plessis stitched another 100-run partnership for the hosts in the innings as the latter reached 150 and looked on course for an easy maiden double ton.
On the way, Maharaj and Du Plessis completed a 133-run 7th wicket partnership which was the highest taking over from teh 132-run stand shared by the current coach Mark Boucher and Shaun Pollock 18 years ago.
Unfortunately for South Africa and Du Plessis, the stand couldn't add any more runs and the batsman got out for 199. Trying to go for a glory shot to complete his first double-century, Du Plessis holed out to the mid-on fielder and missed his century by just one run, becoming only the 13th player in the history of Test cricket to do so.
However, South Africa got a firsts innings lead of 225 runs owing to Du Plessis' knock and reduced Sri Lanka to 65-2 at the end of third day's play.
Fans and cricketers felt bad for Faf du Plessis who batted so well to reach that far in the innings and couldn't complete the milestone.
Here are some of the reactions:
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