5 Greatest Test Innings by AB de Villiers

33 against Australia at Adelaide (Nov 2012)

It was the debut match of Faf du Plessis and Australia seemed set to welcome him to test cricket with a crushing defeat to the Proteas. Three centuries, including a double by Michael Clarke, propelled Australia to 550 in just over 3 sessions.

A spirited reply by South Africa followed with Graeme Smith scoring a hundred and Faf announcing himself with a fabulous 78. However frequent wickets restricted South Africa to 388 and a more than handy lead of 162 to the home side.

When Australia declared their second innings at 267/8, South Africa was all but batted out of the match as they were staring at a target of 430 to win the match or surviving almost four-and-a-half sessions to secure a draw.

Miseries compounded further as Nathan Lyon, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle reduced South Africa to 45 for 4 within 20 overs and Australia were being hopeful of wrapping up the match inside 4 days. But AB joined his best friend Faf and forged a partnership of 89 runs and consumed 68 overs in the process.

By the time he was dismissed, he had broken the back of the Australian bowling attack. With Jacques Kallis in his company, Faf du Plessis scored a century in only his second innings and South Africa salvaged a draw from an improbable situation.