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Cape Town - Following their agonising semi-final defeat to New Zealand, Sport24 rates the 15 Proteas’ performances at the Cricket World Cup:
Hashim Amla - 5/10
333 runs at an average of 41.62
Not Amla’s best World Cup, his highest score of 159 came against minnows Ireland and he failed to register big totals when it really mattered - during the knockout phases.
Quinton de Kock - 4/10
145 runs at an average of 20.71
De Kock’s unbeaten 78 against Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals was his only noteworthy contribution with the bat. He mostly kept wicket well, but it was otherwise a pretty forgettable World Cup for the youngster, with his run-out fumble in the semi-final against New Zealand also proving costly. He nevertheless remains a key figure for future ICC events…
Faf du Plessis - 8/10
380 runs at an average of 63.33
Du Plessis should be chuffed by his performance. He also came good when it really mattered in the semi-finals against New Zealand, scoring 82 before rain spoiled his and AB de Villiers’s party. Du Plessis's value as a top class fielder was also evident throughout.
Rilee Rossouw - 7/10
210 runs at an average of 52.50
Has finally come good after a torrid start to his international career and forced his way into the team after initially not making the starting XI. A strike rate of 116.66 also emphasised his effectiveness.
AB de Villiers - 9/10
482 runs at an average of 96.40
Simply sublime with the bat and proved why he is the world’s best. It was perhaps not his fault that the selectors left him with the fifth bowler conundrum which forced him to bring himself into the attack at various stages during the tournament. He wasn’t the tournament’s worst bowler, but a part-timer should not be bowling at the death in a World Cup semi-final. He will also forever rue a missed run-out opportunity against Corey Anderson in the semi-final loss at Eden Park.
David Miller - 7/10
324 runs at an average of 64.80
A top-notch performance with the bat during the tournament. Miller's 49 off 18 balls in the semi-final proved he is capable of performing when it really matters. His strike rate of 139.05 was only bettered by De Villiers (144.31).
JP Duminy - 7/10
164 runs at an average of 54.66; 6 wickets at an average of 33.66 (economy: 5.77)
A top effort with the bat, and his hat-trick with the ball won his team the game against Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals. It however remains a risk to enter a clash with him as the sole recognised fifth bowler option. This forced part-timer De Villiers to bowl a few overs - which isn’t ideal at the top level of the game. ‘Koppe’ will also rue running into team-mate Farhaan Behardien late in the semi-final against New Zealand, which resulted in the latter dropping New Zealand match-winner Grant Elliott off the last ball of the penultimate over. Behardien seemingly had the catch covered, only for Duminy to run into him and butcher what would likely have been a ticket to the Cricket World Cup final in Melbourne…
Vernon Philander - 5/10
4 wickets at an average of 33.75 (economy: 4.73); 10 runs at an average of 10
Wasn’t fit for large parts of the tournament and should never have been risked at the expense of Kyle Abbott in the semi-finals.
Dale Steyn - 4/10
11 wickets at an average of 31.45 (economy: 5.02)
Steyn was well short of his best at this tournament, his 1-76 off 8.1 overs simply not good enough if you want to win a semi-final. The script was written for him to defend 12 runs off the final over, but he couldn’t hit his lines when it really mattered…
Morne Morkel - 8/10
17 wickets at an average of 17.58 (economy: 4.38)
Can feel proud of his effort and was South Africa’s best bowler at this World Cup. Still bowls too short at times though and could do with a little more variation.
Imran Tahir - 8/10
15 wickets at an average of 21.53 (economy 4.23)
Along with Morkel, one of the two shining lights in the South African bowling line-up. Was unlucky not to pick up wickets in the semi-final, but brought SA to that stage with a man-of-the-match 4/26 against Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals.
Kyle Abbott - 8/10
9 wickets at an average of 14.44 (economy 4.19).
A top-notch effort from a player who deserves better treatment from selectors. Should never have been dropped for an unfit Philander in the semi-finals.
Wayne Parnell - 3/10
1 wicket at an average of 85 (economy of 9.44); 17 runs (not out)
Played one ill-fated game against India and was pummelled to all parts. He was picked as an all-rounder but a lack of consistency in recent times saw management lose faith in his ability - hence his no-show for the remainder of the tournament.
Farhaan Behardien - 4/10
74 runs at an average of 74* (wasn't dismissed); 0 wickets for 64 runs (economy 5.81)
Scored 64* against lowly UAE but was a largely peripheral figure during the tournament. Surely a better all-rounder could have cracked the nod for the squad?
Aaron Phangiso (N/A)
Didn't play a match and his inclusion was surplus to requirements. With Tahir and Duminy already in the squad as spinners, his selection as spinner made no sense.
A proper all-rounder was needed and his slot should have been reserved for just that...
