Faf du Plessis retires from Test cricket: "My heart is clear, the time is right to walk into a new chapter"

Du Plessis accumulated 4,163 Test runs, with 10 centuries and an average a shade over 40

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Faf du Plessis has announced his retirement from Test cricket after a career which brought him 69 caps for his country.

The former South Africa captain confirmed his decision in a statement on Wednesday, saying his "heart is clear" and "the time is right to walk into a new chapter".

Du Plessis accumulated 4,163 Test runs, with 10 centuries and an average a shade over 40.

He will remain available for the Proteas' limited-overs squads, and intends to focus himself on T20 cricket in the short term.

He said: "It has been a year of refinement in the fire for us all. Uncertain were the times, but they brought clarity for me in many respects. My heart is clear, and the time is right to walk into a new chapter. It has been an honour to play for my country in all the formats of the game, but the time has come for me to retire from Test cricket.

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"If someone had told me 15 years ago, that I would play 69 Test matches for South Africa and captain the side, I wouldn’t have believed them. I stand in a place of utmost gratitude for a career full of blessings bestowed on me. Every high and low has shaped me into the man I am proud to stand as today. In all things, those instances worked towards the good of who I believe I am today.

"The next two years are T20 World Cup years. Because of this, my focus is shifting to this format and I want to play as much of it as possible around the world so that I can be the best player I can possibly be. I strongly believe that I have a lot to offer to the Proteas in this format. This does not mean that ODI cricket is no longer in the plans, I’m just making T20 cricket the priority in the short term.

"I will be in conversation with CSA over the next couple of months on what the future might look like for me over the next year to find a solution that works for both of us."

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