Have the Proteas settled on their starting XI? Tom Sizeland rates the performances after their 2-1 series defeat against England.
QUINTON DE KOCK – 137 runs @ 45.66, HS: 98, SR: 88.38
7/10
A couple of tough chances were put down with the gloves, but seven catches and a sharp stumping made it an otherwise tidy spell behind the stumps. Only one failure with the bat, with his 98 in the second match giving the Proteas every chance of victory and his brisk 34 in the third taking the sting off the chase.
HASHIM AMLA – 152 runs @ 50.66, HS: 73, SR: 95.59
8/10
SA’s best batsman in the series, which is excellent news for the Proteas considering his form was under close examination before the IPL started, which saw him become just the second player to score two centuries in the same campaign. Always in the runs with a low score of 24 and a typically positive strike rate. The cherry on the top was becoming the quickest to 7,000 ODI runs in history.
FAF DU PLESSIS – 88 runs @ 29.33, HS: 67, SR: 100
6/10
A tad inconsistent but difficult to take too seriously from this series. An industrious 67 from 61 balls from the first match was easy on the eye.
AB DE VILLIERS – 124 runs @ 62.00, HS: 52, SR: 105.08
7/10
Showed glimpses of his best without going on to make the big score. One feels that a big knock isn’t too far away, but regardless, the man never goes out of form.
JP DUMINY – 43 runs @ 43.00, HS: 28*, SR: 70.49, 0 wickets @ 00.00, Econ: 5.66
5/10
A tidy finish to the third ODI after being promoted up the order at No 3, but the knocks when it counts the most are still not forthcoming, where runs from him in the first ODI would have helped him team significantly.
DAVID MILLER – 82 runs @ 82.00, HS: 71*, SR: 134.42
8/10
His 71 in the second ODI once again showed just how important Miller is in a big chase coming in at No 6. The fact that his side fell two runs short prevented that innings off 51 balls from being one of his best in a Proteas shirt.
WAYNE PARNELL – 19 runs @ 19.00, HS: 19, SR: 82.60, 4 wickets @ 22.50, BB: 3-43, Econ: 6.00
7/10
Has Parnell done enough to secure his spot in the side come Saturday against Sri Lanka? Inconsistent with the ball but has a knack for striking early, which makes him a very realistic option to open the bowling. Contributed to England’s spectacular collapse in the third match with 3-43, including a wicket off each of his first two overs. Handy with the bat coming in at No 8.
CHRIS MORRIS – 40 runs @ 40.00, HS: 35*, SR: 153.84, 2 wickets @ 78.00, BB: 2-61, Econ: 6.50
6/10
This is pretty much what we’ve come to expect of Morris these days. Occasionally mercurial with the bat and a fighter with the ball, but without the consistency to back it up. SA’s best bowler in the first ODI with 2-61 and a 22-ball 35 in the second should have been enough for victory, but through no fault of his own.
ANDILE PHEHLUKWAYO – 4 runs @ 4.00, HS: 4, SR: 66.66, 3 wickets @ 44.33, BB: 2-59, Econ: 7.00
5/10
Not the best series with the ball. Too expensive at crucial periods and not quite having the pace to use the short ball to substantial effect. But still chips in with key wickets, including Alex Hales and Joe Root in the first match.
KAGISO RABADA – 7 wickets @ 21.71, BB: 4-39, Econ: 5.42
8/10
Deserves to share South Africa’s Man of the Series with Hashim Amla after his exploits in the third match, which saw England completely shattered to 20-6, which effectively ended the contest. A tad leaky in the first ODI, but his side’s best bowler in the second match, and his four wickets in the first five overs of the third match was simply excellent. He finished with figures of 4-39, which was enough to see the 22-year-old become the No 1 bowler in the world.
KESHAV MAHARAJ – 4 wickets @ 24.25, BB: 3-25, Econ: 6.00
7/10
Stepped in admirably for Imran Tahir, ending Ben Stokes’ 101 with his maiden ODI wicket in the second ODI, before cleaning up the tail with 3-25 in the third, which was important as the tail was starting to frustrate the visitors. Won’t get much game time in the tournament should Tahir be fit, but handy as a replacement.
