Faf Du Plessis becomes first South African in history to score centuries in all three formats

Faf du Plessis of South Africa in action during the 2nd KFC T20 International match between South Africa and West Indies

South Africa raced to a lead of 231/7 after being sent in to bat in the second Twenty20 international against the West Indies at the Wanderers on Sunday. Their huge total consisted of a 56-ball 119 from captain Faf du Plessis, his first century in the shortest format.

Du Plessis, who lasted till the 19th over, hit five sixes and 11 fours during his knock. South Africa’s No.3 capitalized on ideal batting conditions to hammer South Africa’s highest individual score in a Twenty20 international.

The pace of the innings was set in stone when Du Plessis combined with David Miller to score 103 off 49 balls for the third wicket.

Du Plessis joins elite list in international cricket

Du Plessis has 3 Test centuries and 2 ODI centuries to his name, and earns the distinction of being the first person from his country to have scored a ton in all three formats.

Only seven other players in cricket history have managed to post three-figure scores in all three formats – Chris Gayle of West Indies, Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill of New Zealand, Suresh Raina of India, Mahela Jayawdene and Tilekratne Dilshan of Sri Lanka and Ahmed Shehzad of Pakistan.