Captain Faf motivated to create history

The opportunity to achieve a first-ever series whitewash is strong motivation for Standard Bank Proteas captain, Faf du Plessis, ahead of the third Test match against Australia starting at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday. No touring team has ever inflicted a series clean sweep against Australia at home, a feat that hangs on the Proteas’ maiden day-night Test encounter. Du Plessis will be buoyed by his fond memories of the Adelaide Oval; the venue of his Test debut four years ago and a marathon eight-hour innings to help the Proteas draw the match from an improbable position. The 32-year-old described his debut as the highlight of his career, but on Wednesday admitted that winning the series 3-0 as a South African captain would top the list of his all-time career achievements. Du Plessis says that although the Proteas have played two warm-up matches with the pink ball and have tried to familiarise themselves to the day-night conditions, it will be important to adapt on the day given the difference of playing at Test match intensity.