Faf du Plessis the hero as Proteas save 2nd Test in Adelaide

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

South African middle order batsman Faf du Plessis was named man of the match after a heroic performance in his test debut as the 2nd test againt Australia ended in a draw in Adelaide.

Set 430 to win, South Africa finished on 248 for 8 with Du Plessis undefeated at the end on 110. He made 78 in the Proteas first innings and is the first South African to make a half century and a century on debut.

In South Africa's second innings, Du Plessis found two willing allies in AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis as they dug deep to save the match from a precarious 45 for 4 late on day four.

Faf put on 89 runs for the 5th wicket with AB who only lost his wicket shortly after lunch on day 5 for 33. Du Plessis then added 99 runs for the 6th wicket with Kallis who fell in the final hour of the day's play for 46.

All rounder Ryan Mclaren has meanwhile being called up as cover for both Kallis and Vernon Philander for the third and deciding test which gets underway at the Wacca in Perth on Friday.