After victory, Du Plessis says he's a fan of Tests and lively pitches

Faf du Plessis said on Sunday that Test matches were cricket's most exciting format after his side clinched their series against Pakistan with a nine-wicket win on the fourth day at Newlands on Sunday.

The South African captain disagreed with Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur's criticism of the pitches for the first two Tests, both won by South Africa in less than four days.

South Africa needed just 48 minutes and 9.5 overs to score the 41 runs needed on Sunday to score a second successive win - and a seventh successive home series victory.

Du Plessis said lively surfaces and an attacking mindset, encouraged by Twenty20 cricket, had helped make Test cricket exciting.

"There are not a lot of Test matches that are going five days around the world any more," he said.

"The speed of play has gone up tremendously. Test cricket has evolved and it is great for the fans. They are getting fours, sixes, lots of wickets and pace bowlers bowling. Test cricket for me the last few years has been the most exciting format of all."
-- Poor bowling --
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"Our bowling average speed was 130 (kilometres an hour), South Africa were bowling at 145. Our bowling was far better (in the first Test) in Centurion."