South Africa’s second Test cricket hero Faf du Plessis will make an appearance in the summer’s Big Bash League with the Melbourne Renegades.
Fresh from his match-saving 110 not out on Test debut for the Proteas, du Plessis has agreed to play a single game for the Renegades’ in their first round derby clash with the Melbourne Stars on Friday, December 7 at Etihad Stadium.
Hard-hitting West Indian Marlon Samuels will replace du Plessis ahead the Renegades’ second round clash with Sydney Thunder and will play the remainder of the season.
Coach Simon Helmot said du Plessis would be an all-round asset to the team in the high profile season opener.
“Faf’s one of the best fielders in world cricket and an explosive T20 batsman,” Helmot said.
“He’s shown he’s a competitor and he had a good Champions League with Chennai.
“His batting and fielding are what we needed and he can bowl some handy leg-spin as well.”
The signing completes the Renegades squad.
Renegades: Aaron Finch, Muthiah Muralidaran, Nathan Rimmington, Jayde Herrick, Will Sheridan, Meyrick Buchanan, Michael Hill, James Muirhead, Ben Rohrer, Peter Nevill, Aaron O’Brien, Dan Harris, Tom Cooper, Darren Pattinson, Brendan Drew, Marlon Samuels, Fawad Ahmed, Alex Doolan, Faf du Plessis.