With the World Cup a thing of the past for for the Proteas, Stuart Hess rates AB De Villiers’ side.
Hashim Amla 5
Got a career best score against Ireland and a half century against the West Indies, but other than that failed to dominate at the top of the order.
Domination for him means batting a minimum of 25 overs and he managed that on just the two occasions.
Seemed to change to a more aggressive approach to off-set his opening partner’s poor form but that didn’t help his side, who needed more from
one of their star players.
Quinton de Kock 2
One innings aside, this was a poor World Cup for the young left-hander. Could barely scratch a run together until the quarter-final. In the semi-final he played an injudicious stroke against Trent Boult and then in the field his miss-field off a Rilee Rossouw throw with Grant Elliott stranded, was massively costly.
Seemed short of confidence in the Pool stages and only retained his place as a result of De Villiers’ reluctance to keep.
Lots of lessons, hopefully he’s learned them.
Faf du Plessis 8
One of South Africa’s best players in the tournament. Did his job superbly in the No3 role; consolidating – which occurred often because of De Kock’s poor form – and then providing the foundation from which the late innings fireworks occurred. Superb innings in the semi-final where his composure was exemplary. Watching him in the field is one of the great sights in cricket these days – aggressive and quick to the ball – he is also one of the best catchers in the game.
Rilee Rossouw 7
The injury to JP Duminy before the West Indies match opened the door for him and he strode through so well they couldn’t drop him.
Hit the ball cleanly and always gave the innings impetus. Showed great maturity during that partnership with Du Plessis in the semi-final, absorbing the pressure being exerted by Boult and Co. Excellent in the field – however, did he have to throw the ball so hard to De Villiers with Corey Anderson stranded on 32?
AB de Villiers 8
Claimed that he couldn’t win the World Cup on his own, but then in the semi-final did everything in his power to do just that, even bowling himself in the last five overs. You can’t fault De Villiers’ heart nor the belief he had in his team – which sometimes seemed misplaced. Batted magnificently, with that innings against the West Indies one of the all time great World Cup knocks. Easily makes a composite team of the best players at this year’s tournament.
Dave Miller 7
Started with that superb century against Zimbabwe, when he came to the crease with the side under pressure on 84/4. Was hitting the ball well throughout the competition – except for the match against Pakistan. That 18-ball 49 against New Zealand transformed South Africa’s innings and underlined his value to the team. He’ll be an important player over the next few years in the limited overs formats. A versatile fielder, who is excellent in the inner-ring and on the boundary.
JP Duminy 6
An important century against Zimbabwe, he then missed a couple of matches with a side-strain. Struggled as the main contributor to the fifth bowler ration, with the exception of course being that quarter-final where he took a hat-trick against Sri Lanka. Was lined up by the Pakistanis and the New Zealanders, which exposed that weakness in the South African attack. Then there was his part in the missed catch of Elliott ... oh, what could have been if he’d stopped running.
Vernon Philander4
Played in four matches but never produced anything definitive throughout the tournament.
Suffered with that hamstring problem from before the Pool match against India and wasn’t 100percent even in the semi-final. Bowled a lot better than people have given him credit for in that match, but wasn’t the right player to execute South Africa’s plan – in which the short ball was important.
Unlikely to feature in the limited overs teams again.
Dale Steyn 3
Very disappointing tournament for the leader of the South African attack. Battled illness in the first few weeks but in that Pakistan match his pace was up, he also swung the ball. Against New Zealand he was pummelled by Brendon McCullum, and when he returned later in the innings could never execute the right plan. Did make for one of the images of the tournament when he shook hands with Elliott after that epic semi-final.
Morné Morkel 8
Gave the tournament his all.
He was menacing throughout, bowling with terrific pace and on the helpful surfaces there was plenty of bounce for him to exploit, too. His spell at Kumar Sangakkara in the quarter-final was one of South Africa’s highlights at the tournament and he was full value for the 17 wickets he took. The tears at Eden Park were indicative of a man who feels he may not get another shot at the competition again.
Imran Tahir 8
Another magnificent World Cup, as was the case in India four years ago. Bowls with plenty of aggression and variety and he bamboozled some big
name and in-form players – Mahela Jayawardene in the quarter-final and Martin Guptill in the semi-final. His enthusiasm was infectious. At 35 he may struggle to make another tournament, but there is a T20 World Cup and a Champions Trophy in the next two years, where he will be important for South Africa.
Farhaan Behardien 4
A controversial selection, but didn’t do a lot wrong in the four matches in which he played. Shared an 80-run partnership with De Villiers against the West Indies in which he made 10, and claimed his pals teased him for taking the strike away from the skipper.
Did a good job in making 64 against the UAE and who knows how much his tournament might have changed had he caught Elliott.
Kyle Abbot 7
Excellent when given the opportunity after Philander was injured.
Picked up early wickets every time he played and combined beautifully with Dale Steyn in the quarter-final.
Should have played the semi, because he was better suited to executing the SA bowling plan. A very good squad player, who has a bright international future.
Wayne Parnell 2
Played once, bowled so badly that he never played again. A confidence player, and who knows how his tournament could have turned out had Amla caught Shikar Dhawan when the Indian opener was on 53 in the Pool match at the MCG. Dhawan made a century and Parnell went on to concede 85 runs.
Aaron Phangiso NO RATING
Did not play a match. - The Star