Cricket writer Zaahier Adams was on tour with the Proteas. Despite all the rain, Zaahier managed to rate the Proteas.
Hashim Amla: 5
Eight international innings across all formats without a half-century, including the one opportunity he had to bat here in the Chittagong Test, would signify that South Africa’s Test captain is enduring a slump of sorts. His manner of dismissal at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium was also disappointing, especially the way he hung his bat outside his off stump. Due to the inexperienced nature of the Proteas Test batting unit at the moment, they need their skipper to get among the runs soon. Knowing Amla’s undoubted quality, he is probably keeping them all for his favourite hunting grounds in India later this year. He also continues to develop as an international leader of quality with that Midas touch in terms of bowling changes which lifts his rating.
Stiaan van Zyl: 7
One half of South Africa’s new opening partnership in Test cricket, Van Zyl showed there is sufficient quality to work with going forward. His cover drive is a thing of beauty, and he unveiled it during the second ball in Chittagong. Van Zyl knows the best time to bat on the subcontinent is against the new ball, and after a promising start in the first innings at the ZACS, he would have been disappointed to let the hard graft go to waste when he was caught down on the leg-side when well set. He seemed to have learnt from his first innings mistake when the rain came down just when he looked to be in his stride second time around. His medium-pacers also proved invaluable on these slow pitches, with his wicket at Chittagong providing a vital breakthrough for the Proteas.
Dean Elgar: 7
The Titans opener has quickly developed into a senior member of this Proteas Test side. His tenacious attitude at the top of the order is vital in helping his inexperienced partner Van Zyl settle into his new role. A gritty 47 should have been something much more substantial in Chittagong and he will look to convert such starts into a bigger innings’ when the India tour comes around within a couple of months. He too, like Van Zyl, seemed to dig in his heels second time around as the pair wiped away the majority of the first innings deficit with comfort. South Africa are blessed that both their openers have the ability to provide crucial overs of seam and spin in the field and this is definitely a handy bonus for captain Amla.
Faf du Plessis: 6
A long tour for South Africa’s “Mr Reliable” who was one of only a handful to play all three formats in Bangladesh. But to his credit, Du Plessis’s commitment to the cause never ceased, even through the frustration of watching the rain come down for days. Another who managed a start in Chittagong without converting. Du Plessis will put his head down and work even harder to rectify it the next time.
Temba Bavuma: 8
Although he only batted just once in this series, Bavuma took arguably the greatest strides of all the young players the Proteas brought to this Test series. It was not just the statistical fact that he struck the only half-century of the tour, but more importantly the character and technique he showed while compiling it. Bavuma was at the non-striker’s end when Mustafizur Rahman ran through the Proteas’ middle-order with a hat trick in Chittagong and he responded with a brave innings to help South Africa to at least compile a respectable first innings total. Players are judged on their ability to score “tough runs” and Bavuma certainly passed this test with flying colours. He also remains a livewire in the field, whether it’s a point or short-leg.
JP Duminy: 4
A first-ball duck is Duminy’s sole contribution with the bat in this series. This can happen to any player during his career, but an experienced player like Duminy will know that he needs to make a more consistent impact with the bat now that the likes of Smith, Kallis and Petersen are no longer around. Amla was initially reluctant to utilise Duminy’s bowling skills, but the 31-year-old showed once again that he should be considered a genuine Test all-rounder when he was eventually thrown the ball here in the Mirpur second Test. With specialist off-spinner Simon Harmer having an off-day, Duminy took centre stage and finished with the impressive figures of 3/30.
Quinton de Kock: 2
The only reason young De Kock did not get a round egg rating was that he actually kept very well in Chittagong. He claimed two smart catches and was in general very tidy behind the stumps. However, his batting failures and overall lack of confidence with the bat cannot be understated as his second-ball duck was the straw that ultimately broke the camel’s back. Dropped for Dhaka, the 22-year-old will find it tough to get back into the Proteas Test side if he doesn’t show the necessary hunger that was first on display when he debuted as a precocious talent a couple of years ago.
Vernon Philander: 4
Considering Philander bagged nine five-wicket hauls in his first 28 Test innings, it is amazing that he has now gone a further 30 without claiming another since his last 5/59 against Pakistan in Cape Town back in 2013. Philander’s waning strike-power is a concern, but those doubting his value to the Proteas would be misguided. He remains unerringly accurate and disciplined in his line and lengths and deserved more than only the two wickets he claimed in Chittagong. His miserly spells during which he rarely drifts above 2.25 runs per over also allows the likes of Dale Strike to operate in short bursts while he dries up the runs at the other end.
Simon Harmer: 5
South Africa’s inexperienced off-spinner would have learnt plenty of lessons on this tour. On his first trip to the subcontinent with the Proteas, Harmer acknowledged that he had to change the pace at which he normally bowls. The use of the entire crease was also important. He adjusted accordingly in the first Test where he was able to perform the dual role of being able to pick up wickets and contain. But in Mirpur, he seemed to lose that much-needed control as his lengths in particular let him down on occasion. He will face stiff opposition from Dane Piedt going forward now that the Cape Cobras off-spinner has returned to full fitness.
Dale Steyn: 8
Most players will want to forget the Mirpur 2015 Test in a rush. Not Dale Steyn however. He even went out in the middle to take a picture of the pitch that saw just 88.1 overs. Mother Cricket, though, has a way of rewarding those who have given her great service and Steyn certainly fits the bill. With South Africa losing the toss, Bangladesh elected to bat, which gave Steyn just enough time to claim that elusive wicket to allow him to join the 400 club. It was a great moment for Steyn and South Africa’s cricket history when Tamim Iqbal’s edge flew to Amla at second slip. And to show he was no new-ball bully, he switched on all his powers late in the day to get some quality reverse swing going. It was enough for him to be adjudged Man of the Series.
Morne Morkel: 3
Another member of South Africa’s bowling unit that is struggling in the “five-for” column – Morkel’s last was even further back in Australia 2012 – and an indifferent showing here has not helped matters either. Although continuously menacing with the short ball, Morkel will need to start ticking off the wickets column more regularly if South Africa’s new fast bowling colt Kagiso Rabada is to remain on the sidelines for very much longer.
Dane Vilas: 6
It was dream come true for the Cape Cobras gloveman when he was chosen over De Kock for the second Test here. Unfortunately the dream lasted only 88.1 overs, but at least South Africa were asked to bowl allowing for Vilas keep “extremely well” according to captain Amla. It was an accurate assessment for Vilas claimed two neat catches standing up to the spinners, and even though he did not get to bat, he would have been satisfied with his work in his maiden Test. - Cape Times