Faf du Plessis names more valuable Test player than Marco Jansen; snubs Joe Root & Jasprit Bumrah

Faf du Plessis names more valuable Test player than Marco Jansen; snubs Joe Root & Jasprit Bumrah

Faf du Plessis names Pat Cummins as cricket’s most valuable current Test player

South Africa’s thrilling 2-1 Test series victory over Australia has put the traditional format back in the spotlight—and sparked fresh debate about which players matter most in modern Test cricket. Former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis has offered his view, naming Australia skipper Pat Cummins as a more valuable current Test player than Marco Jansen.

The choice may surprise fans who have followed Jansen’s outstanding performances in the series. The South African all-rounder earned Player of the Series honours, delivered important runs under pressure and climbed to the top of the ICC Test rankings for both bowlers and all-rounders. But du Plessis’s assessment focused on a player’s overall contribution and the value of having more than one major skill.

Why du Plessis chose Cummins

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, du Plessis was asked to identify a current Test player more valuable than Jansen. He considered several leading names, including Jasprit Bumrah, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Mitchell Starc, before settling on Cummins.

Du Plessis explained that he was weighing the range of skills a player brings to a team. In discussing Brook, he described the England batter as a “generational talent” but said he wanted to base his choice on players who offer value in multiple disciplines. That thinking helped steer him toward an all-round contribution rather than batting or bowling excellence alone.

Cummins is primarily known as a fast bowler, but his role extends well beyond taking wickets. As Australia’s captain, he leads the attack, manages bowling changes and contributes lower-order runs. His ability to influence a match with the ball, offer support with the bat and guide a team through difficult passages helps explain why du Plessis considers him so valuable.

Du Plessis puts Jansen’s achievement in perspective

When the conversation turned to whether Root was better than Jansen, du Plessis pushed back against the comparison, acknowledging Root’s status among the game’s great batters. He also praised Jansen as an exceptional Test cricketer, while noting that the discussion involved players with different roles and strengths.

The exchange highlights a broader question in Test cricket: how should “value” be measured? A specialist batter can shape a match through a long innings, while a strike bowler may change its direction in a short spell. An all-rounder can provide both, and a captain who also leads the bowling attack can influence decisions throughout the five days. The answer often depends on a team’s balance, conditions and immediate needs.

Marco Jansen’s breakthrough series against Australia

Jansen made a compelling case for his importance during South Africa’s comeback in the three-Test series. He took 10 wickets and scored 146 runs, with his contributions arriving at crucial moments. His ability to add runs in the lower middle order gave South Africa valuable depth, particularly when the top order was under pressure.

One of the standout moments came in the second Test, when Jansen scored 82 and claimed a five-wicket haul. His performance helped South Africa recover from a difficult position and secure an innings victory. He also formed an important partnership with captain Temba Bavuma, helping steady the innings when the team needed resilience as much as attacking intent.

Those performances carried a major individual reward. Jansen rose to become the No. 1-ranked Test bowler and also reached the top of the Test all-rounder rankings, ending Ravindra Jadeja’s four-year run at No. 1 in that category. The milestones underline how much Jansen has developed into more than a fast-bowling prospect: he is now a player capable of changing a Test with both bat and ball.

Cummins’ leadership and Australia’s recent challenges

Cummins has long been regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers in Test cricket and spent an extended period at the top of the bowling rankings. His pace, accuracy and ability to generate movement make him a constant threat, while his calm leadership has been central to Australia’s approach in the format.

However, Australia’s recent results have brought scrutiny. The side has faced setbacks at home and, despite winning the opening Test against South Africa, could not maintain its advantage across the series. Questions about results should be separated from Cummins’s individual quality, but they form part of the context surrounding du Plessis’s selection. His choice appears to reflect Cummins’s broad influence and established record rather than a claim that Australia’s recent performances have been flawless.

What the debate means for the World Test Championship

The South Africa-Australia series offered a reminder of why Test cricket continues to command attention in the World Test Championship era. Momentum can shift across sessions, and teams need players who can adapt when conditions or circumstances change. South Africa’s recovery demonstrated the importance of depth, partnership-building and match-winning spells—qualities that Jansen supplied in abundance.

For Australia, Cummins remains central to the team’s plans as both captain and frontline bowler. For South Africa, Jansen’s rise gives the side a powerful all-round option whose recent form has strengthened its prospects in the championship race. The two players therefore represent different kinds of value: Cummins combines leadership with elite fast bowling, while Jansen offers a growing balance of wicket-taking ability and lower-order batting.

Prediction: a debate that will continue

There is no single statistic that can settle the question of the most valuable Test player. Rankings, wickets and runs provide useful evidence, but leadership, adaptability and performance in high-pressure moments also matter. Du Plessis has made his prediction by prioritising the range of contributions Cummins can offer. Jansen’s series, meanwhile, shows why the South African all-rounder is increasingly difficult to overlook.

As the World Test Championship continues, both players will have opportunities to strengthen their cases. Cummins will be judged on his ability to lead Australia back to consistent results, while Jansen will aim to sustain the remarkable form that has taken him to the top of the rankings. For Test cricket fans, that contrast is part of the appeal: the format rewards specialists, all-rounders and leaders in different ways—and leaves room for the debate to evolve with every series.

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