Twitter reacts to a stinker of a day for flustered Faf

With the embattled Proteas teetering on 88/6 at the end of the second day of the final test against England at the Wanderers – still 312 behind – much of the outrage has been directed at Faf du Plessis.

The South African captain has had a tough week with a heap of questions being asked over his international future and whether he really still carries the proverbial #ProteaFire within.

And Du Plessis hardly helped his cause with a stinker of a day, where his catching, captaincy and batting all combined to culminate in one dismal failure.

South African cricket fans on Twitter were quick to pounce.

https://twitter.com/Alextaljaard/status/1221097235695513602?s=20

Faf du Plessis the most useless batsmen currently and worse as a captain. #FafduPlessis he must go

— Sifundo Mchunu (@khehla_Mchunu) January 25, 2020

Faf du Plessis, our most consistent batsman. #Proteas pic.twitter.com/gPkOBKqH8g

— Gaba (@Swatyupants) January 25, 2020

WorstPerfoming Captain and is allowed to on team selection. Faf must do an hornable thing and resign. This blocking boring cricket mentality makes people stay away from SA games. What a mess? It’s like England is playing at home#FafduPlessis

— Thembokuhle Bhengu (@ThembokuhleB) January 25, 2020

Indeed, one can’t exactly argue about his form with the bat…

https://twitter.com/GOATKingKohli/status/1221106357870350338?s=20

Faf du Plessis has averaged less than 13 runs in the last 10 Test innings he has batted in.

— Martin Becker (@martinbckr) January 25, 2020

#SAvENG A man phones the proteas changeroom and asks to speak to Faf du Plessis
Coaching staff: "sorry he's just gone out to bat you'll have to call later"
Caller: "ah that's ok mate, I'll just hold on the line for him"

Read more

Former SA cricket players arrested for match-fixing scandal

— siphiwe (@Siphiwegift25) January 25, 2020

Yet while there was a sense of inevitability over his dismissal for just three, his biggest failing was some strange captaincy during England’s last-wicket stand, which fetched 82 runs as the Proteas threw away the possibility of keeping the tourists’ first innings total in reasonable check.

Not only was he criticised for not using his best bowlers, but also some bizarrely defensive fields for a No 10 and 11…

Faf should have just kept Philander and Nortje to wrap up the 10th wicket not those two jokers entlek Faf Du Plessis must fall

— Mangi (@Mangi93554994) January 25, 2020

https://twitter.com/FtshikediThaba/status/1221095221066334208?s=20

Faf Du Plessis is a useless captain in this test though, the score was 329 for 9 when he decided to change his bowling attack…. Look now the chase is 400, of which he'll probably be oust for single digit!! #Ptoteafore #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/juzblOVI2N

— The Chief of Staff™🇿🇦🇯🇴 (@Majesty_I) January 25, 2020

Not sure if Faf du Plessis' head is in the right place- test matches can be won and lost based on certain periods of play. Shocking captaincy & bizarre tactics- almost seemed resigned to watching it play out. #Proteas, must not forget, can STILL draw the series #sscricket #SAvENG

— thecricketblog (@thecricblogger) January 25, 2020

Wow Faf du Plessis has really lost it here. He has allowed the last wicket partnership to get close to 100 runs. Why isn't Nortje and even Philander cleaning up the tail?

— P (@ThaRegistaRole) January 25, 2020

To just add a bit of insult to injury, Du Plessis also dropped his direct opponent, Joe Root, in the slips…

Faf Du Plessis just drooped Joe Root At slip. First time I’ve ever seen Faf drop a sitter

— Billz 🇿🇦 (@billz_25) January 25, 2020

Faf du Plessis needs to go i've had enough man is even dropping catches now.💀

— Hermano👍🏽 (@FayaLinden) January 25, 2020

Though there was some small redemption in the field at least…

Now that is a seriously good catch by Faf du Plessis, going a long way to his right at 2nd slip & giving Anrich Nortje a richly-deserved maiden 5-wicket haul! The dangerous Woakes goes for 32, England 318-9

— Ken Borland (@KenBorland) January 25, 2020

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.