The Proteas will be watching the knockout rounds of a major cricket tournament from the comfort of their couches once again. Cricket writer Zaahier Adams rates the players after they bombed out of the World T20 in India.
Quinton de Kock: 8 out of 10
Runs: 153 HS: 52 Ave: 38.25 Strike-rate: 142.99
South Africa’s highest run-scorer in the tournament, the 23-year-old showed that he can go toe to toe with the best of them at the top of the order.
Not only were there the trademark free-flowing innings in Mumbai, but he also displayed a new-found maturity in Nagpur when he reined in his attacking gameon a difficult pitch to give his team something to bowl at in their crunch clash with the West Indies.
His rating drops a point because he would have desperately wanted to convert one of his two half-centuries into a score of real substance. Equally, his misunderstandings while running between the wickets with opening partner Hashim Amla bordered on farcical in the last two matches.
Hashim Amla: 7.5
Runs: 120 HS: 58 Ave: 40.00 Strike-rate: 134.83
A good but not great tournament for “The Mighty#”. He flew out of the blocks against England in Mumbai, but then stuttered in the next two matches before conducting South Africa’s run-chase with precision in the dead-rubber match against Sri Lanka.
His early run-out against the Windies, though, was critical as it set in motion the panic that later ensued. Another unnecessary mix-up with De Kock at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium puts Amla in the league of former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq in terms of manufacturing run-outs.
Faf du Plessis: 5
Runs: 98 HS: 41 Ave: 24.50 Strike-rate: 112.64
It has been a tough few weeks for the Proteas T20 captain. Du Plessis has had to endure the pain of his team capitulating in the crunch moments after arriving in India with lofty ambitions of “winning the tournament”.
By his own admission, the skipper’s batting was also not of his usual high standard, although he was the victim of two dodgy decisions in his last two innings. His frustration finally boiled over at the FSK where he was fined 50 percent of his match fee for showing dissent.
Du Plessis tried valiantly to control proceedings even when his bowling unit offered him no support, especially in Mumbai, but will need to take responsibility for only following the tournament trend of bowling both his spinners in the power-play overs during the final game against the Sri Lankans when all was lost.
AB de Villiers: 4
Runs: 110 HS: 64 Ave: 36.66 Strike-rate: 180
After all the pre-tournament hype surrounding whether De Villiers would open the innings at the World T20, the batsman most of cricket-mad India worships never once walked out at the top of the innings. Instead, his batting positions were No 3, No 4, No 5, and back to No 4 – across the four group matches.
All the shuffling around the batting order did not have the desired effect, as De Villiers failed to make the sort of impact many were expecting of South Africa’s batting maverick.
Crucially, he folded under the pressure when his team needed him the most in their decisive group match against the Windies in Nagpur.
JP Duminy: 6.5
Runs: 83 HS: 54* Ave: - Strike-rate: 172.91
Wickets: 1 BB: 1/31, Eco: 10.33
After a tough home summer, Duminy again showed his value, especially in sub-continent conditions. The all-rounder was severely missed, especially in Nagpur, after straining his hamstring in the previous clash against Afghanistan.
His ability to rotate the strike during the middle overs was crucial on a pitch that was not conducive to striking the ball out of the ground from the outset like his replacement, Rilee Rossouw, attempted to do.
An unbeaten 54 against England, and another solid not out against the Afghans, meant that Duminy went through the tournament without being dismissed. His untimely injury was more important than many would like to believe.
David Miller: 5
Runs: 48 HS: 28* Ave: 24 Strike-rate: 200
For a player who has thrived in Indian conditions in previous IPL stints, Miller’s return was disappointing. It is always going to be tough to make a significant impact with the few balls left in an innings when he walks to the crease, but that’s been his role for a long time now, and he has previously showed that he can adapt to such demands.
South Africa need more from “Miller time” and the left-hander will have to play a bigger role in this T20 side moving forward.
David Wiese: 6
Runs: 28 HS: 28 Ave: 28 Strike-rate: 107.69
Wickets: 1 BB: 1/19 Eco: 8.22
According to team management, it was the big Titans all-rounder who kept Dale Steyn out of the XI due to his ability to deliver “cutters” and add batting depth.
It’s an interesting way of looking at things, but Wiese did his job in Nagpur where conditions were more conducive to his style of bowling. He also showed good temperament with the bat there to help De Kock post a total the team could attempt to defend.
Chris Morris: 5
Runs: 16 HS: 16* Ave: - Strike-rate: 94.11
Wickets: 5 BB: 4/27 Eco: 8.90
Inconsistent is the best way to describe Morris’ performances. He was dismal with the ball against England before following it up with a man-of-the-match display against Afghanistan.
He lost his radar against the Windies again, which ultimately cost him his place against Sri Lanka. Plays cricket like the “Million Dollar Man” that he is, but will need to show consistency at some stage to build a prosperous international career.
Dale Steyn: 3
Wickets: 1 BB: 1/33 Eco: 11.33
A tournament “The Phalaborwa Express” would like to forget. After suffering a mauling in the opening game against England when he conceded 35 runs in just two overs, Steyn was relegated to “water boy” duties for the next two matches. By the time he was recalled against Sri Lanka in Delhi, South Africa had already been eliminated. The constant speculation about his future in limited-overs cricket will only increase after a disappointing fifth appearance at the World T20.
Kyle Abbott: 7
Wickets: 7 BB: 3/41 Eco: 8.14
It seems strange that South Africa’s most prolific wicket-taker in the tournament was dropped for the all-important clash against the Windies, but Abbott did not start the tournament off on the right note, especially in the power-plays in Mumbai.
But the Dolphins seamer is not the highest-ranked (fifth) Proteas T20 bowler for nothing. He showed off his skills in Delhi with a supreme death-bowling exhibition.
Kagiso Rabada: 5
Wickets: 5 BB: 2/37
Eco: 10.71
A tough initiation into senior ICC tournament cricket for South Africa’s pace bowling prodigy.
The 20-year-old never quite settled into his rhythm in India, and was neither good up front with the new ball nor at the death, where he questioned his game plans. He will treasure the prized wicket of Windies superstar Chris Gayle, though!
Imran Tahir: 9
Wickets: 6 BB: 2/13 Eco: 5.18
Where would South Africa be without Tahir? Whereas the rest of his teammates seemingly wilt under pressure, the talismanic leg-spinner relishes the big occasion.
It was another big series for the 37-year-old. The Proteas will miss “Immy” massively when he eventually retires.
Aaron Phangiso: 8
Wickets: 3 BB: 2/26 Eco: 5.62
Considering what the left-arm spinner had to endure just to get to this World T20, his performances were nothing short of sensational. The Man-of-the-Match award in the win against Sri Lanka could not have gone to a more deserving player. He showed that, if given a fair opportunity, he is far more than just a “quota” player that travels the world to carry drinks.
Farhaan Berhardien: 7
Wickets: 2 BB: 2/15 Eco: 5.00
Another one of South Africa’s more underrated players, Behardien justified his selection for the final game by delivering a quality bowling spell. His two wickets pegged Sri Lanka back just when they were looking to accelerate. Should have replaced the injured Duminy in Nagpur.
Rilee Rossouw: 1
Runs: 0 Ave: 0 Strike-rate: 0 *1 run out
Afforded an opportunity due to the enforced absence of Duminy, Rossouw’s poor shot-selection against West Indies was inexcusable. On a pitch that held up significantly, the left-hander simply threw his hands at a Gayle “looper” outside the off stump. He only avoids a zero rating due to an excellent direct hit from point while fielding later on.
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