Derbyshire Abroad: du Plooy returns to red ball action

Bad light prevented Leus du Plooy from guiding South Western Districts to victory over Mpumalanga Rhinos, as the Derbyshire batter made his return to CSA Four-Day Franchise Series action. 

The 26-year-old impressed on his debut for the side, scoring a powerful 55 in SWD’s CSA Provincial quarter-final against Titans earlier this month, but his red-ball bow got off to a frustrating start, as du Plooy was run out without scoring.

Mpumalanga Rhinos had initially posted 311 in their first innings, before the hosts were bowled out for 209. However, South Western Districts’ bowlers did the business on Day Three, dismissing their opponents for just 104, setting them a target of 207 to win.

An opening partnership of 125 seemed to be pushing SWD towards victory on the final afternoon, and du Plooy moved them even closer with an unbeaten 22 from just 19 balls, before bad light brought and end to proceedings, 41 runs from victory.

South Western Districts will next be in action when they face Eastern Storm, starting on Thursday 18 November.

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