Faf heaps praise on five-star Proteas

FAF du Plessis was delighted with the ruthless edge shown by South Africa as they made history in securing the Proteas’ first-ever ODI series whitewash over Australia.

The Proteas had already sealed the series win when they went 3-0 up with two matches to spare but they refused to show any mercy in the last two games this week.

A six-wicket win in Port Elizabeth was backed up at Newlands on Wednesday in a 31-run win that owed much to Rilee Rossouw’s 122 and the talismanic effect of the recalled Imran Tahir.

David Warner smashed 173 from only 136 balls in response as Australia tried to chase down 327 but he received no support whatsoever.

And when Tahir – who was fined for a spat with Warner out in the middle – got Aaron Finch and Steve Smith in his first over, the game was up.

Tahir also ran out Warner in the end – prompting his skipper to label the spinner as ‘the reason we are where we are in one-day cricket…he is my banker.’

But it was the overall achievement that really stood out for Du Plessis.

“We didn’t expect 5-0, we just wanted to beat the Aussies,” he said. “And then when we got to 3-0, it was important for us to make sure we don’t take our foot off the gas.We wanted to make history and we did that.

“It’s a special feeling. I am hoping tomorrow when we wake up, we will see this incredible team effort and it will last a long time.”

In contrast, Steve Smith, admitted his side – shorn of most of their fast-bowling options through injury – had also been over reliant on the irrepressible Warner with the bat.

“We just haven’t been able to put enough partnerships together,” Smith said. “We’ve had guys who have had starts and not been able to go on with it. Having said that, Davey was magnificent.

“To score 170 out of our 290 was remarkable. The rest of us weren’t good enough.”