The 2020 World Twenty20 tournament in Australia looks set to draw the curtain on South African captain Faf du Plessis' glittering cricket career.
The Proteas leader dropped the bombshell that he hoped to bow out in 2020 ahead of Saturday's one-off T20 international with Australia on the Gold Coast.
"The T20 World Cup is in Australia and that's not too far away. That will probably be my last international tour I would think," du Plessis said in Brisbane.
Du Plessis, 34, has revelled on Australian decks since a breakthrough Test debut knock in Adelaide in 2012, batting for more than a day to remain 110 not out and secure a draw for the visitors.
He has hit a total of seven tons against Australia across all formats, representing more than a third of the 19 international centuries to his name.
Du Plessis hit his latest ton in Hobart on the weekend, making 125 in a 252-run stand with David Miller (139) - the biggest one-day partnership ever against Australia - to seal the Proteas 2-1 ODI series victory.
So it only seemed fitting that du Plessis picked Australia for his international swansong.
"I don't know if (2012 Adelaide) was a big part in that (loving Australian decks) but certainly what I've found out about myself is I enjoy the challenge of playing against the Australian team," du Plessis said.
"That brings the best out of me as a cricketer.
"I really love playing against Australia. It's a hard place to come and travel.
"When you come here, people don't always expect you to beat Australia.
"So that once again brings the best out of me as a captain as well."
Du Plessis hoped T20 was treated more seriously by the time he retired, saying most teams - including South Africa - only fielded their strongest sides at a World Cup.
He believed international T20 could thrive with full strength sides if they could find a way to avoid clashes with the domestic leagues around the world.
"T20 cricket for us over the last two or three years has been a case of bringing in the young guys, giving them an opportunity, so we never really play our strongest XI which isn't great for the international game," he said.
"And I can see the same with other teams. It's almost never their strongest teams, and fans come to watch the best players play."
Australian Associated Press
