SA relieved to dodge tense blockathon in grey Hamilton

FAF DU PLESSIS’ successful transition into a Test leader has been on the back of his playing every situation with as straight a bat as the one he offers when he is at the crease. So, when he had to front up to the media instead of the Kiwi bowling line-up on day five of the final Test in miserable Hamilton, Du Plessis maintained that unerring blade.

“It’s a real fair assessment to say we’ve been saved by rain.” In every way, the elements saved the tourists from what looked very likely to be a loss – possibly by an innings, and one which would have meant the series was shared, and not won. “Everyone would say New Zealand (were) very unlucky. The rain has come at a terrible time for them,” Du Plessis continued.

“They dominated us in this match and deserved to have a crack at us today.”

That Du Plessis held up his hands as emphatically as he did would suggest that he and his team had already sat and looked within, and conceded to each other that they had been found wanting. That they must endeavour to be a lot better down the road, because they won’t always be saved by cricket’s joker card.

Du Plessis, no stranger to final-day missions of attrition, had already prepared to block the whole day – as he once did in Adelaide, to announce himself and his character to the world. But, in a funny way, there would have been little to no expectation to do so back then, and all the pressure for him to repeat the deed yesterday. And, what’s more, he would have been doing it with half a batting card, after a top-order that needs urgent attention and regeneration, had faltered again.

“You can’t expect Quinny to do exactly the same”, Du Plessis conceded. The art of dead-batting 400 balls is not in Quinton de Kock’s freakish nature, and long may that sense of adventure stay with him.