The Proteas’ semi-finals dreams lay in tatters after they lost another World Cup thriller at Edgbaston. JOHN GOLIATH rates the South African players following their four-wicket defeat at the hands of New Zealand.
Quinton de Kock – 3
South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batsman had a brief stay at the crease before Trent Boult bowled him with a peach of a delivery. He was tidy behind the stumps on a difficult Edgbaston wicket, but needs to get the wax removed from his ears after he didn’t pick up Kane Williamson’s nick off the last ball of Imran Tahir’s spell.
Hashim Amla – 6
The veteran batsman copped a bit of flack after South Africa’s innings when he used up 83 balls for his 55. But, after watching both teams bat on this pitch, it was a top knock that kept the South African batting effort together. He was also very good in the field, and took a good catch at slip.
Faf du Plessis – 4
Showed some intent when he came in to bat at No 3 after the early loss of De Kock. Batted with a lot of caution, but managed to hit a few crisp drives. However, he played inside a straight one and was bowled by a brilliant yorker by Lockie Ferguson. Marshalled his troops well in the field, but didn’t have enough runs to defend.
Aiden Markram – 4
Another frustrating innings from the youngster, which held plenty of promise, but ultimately failed to materialise into a much-needed big score. Having again laid the foundation to get to 38, Markram succumbed to a soft dismissal that will haunt his dreams.
Rassie van der Dussen – 7
Van der Dussen played a top innings under difficult circumstances. Knocked the ball around at the start of his stay at the crease and then teed off towards the end of the innings. The only criticism could be that he and David Miller should have started chasing boundaries a lot of earlier than they did.
David Miller – 4
Took his time before he started playing a couple of top shots. Steered one down the throat of third man when South Africa needed him to get them up to 260. Had a few half chances in the field, but just couldn’t pull off a few blinders or take his run-out chance.
Andile Phehlukwayo – 3
South Africa’s star all-rounder had an absolute nightmare after a few top performances in the first few matches of this World Cup. Used up five balls for a duck at the end of South Africa’s innings, before going for 73 in his 8.3 overs, which essentially cost the Proteas the match.
Chris Morris – 7
South Africa needed a hero with the ball after their below-par effort with the bat. Morris took a wicket almost every time Du Plessis tossed him the ball and bowled with a lot of heart. He got the ball to shape nicely early on, before bowling some wonderful comeback spells in the middle and towards the end of the innings.
Kagiso Rabada – 6
Gave the Proteas a top start with an early strike. However, his captain needed him to fire in the middle overs, especially when New Zealand were struggling after losing a few wickets. Bowled well together with Lungi Ngidi in the end to give Phehlukwayo something to defend.
Imran Tahir – 6
Du Plessis needed his master leg-spinner to take advantage of the fact that New Zealand’s middle order was exposed. However, he was well played by Kane Williamson, and then lacked a bit of luck in his second spell. Should have forced the issue to go for the review when Williamson nicked his last ball in to De Kock’s gloves.
Lungi Ngidi – 5
Came back from a hamstring niggle and bowled really well without a lot of luck at the start of his first spell. Frustrated the New Zealand batsmen with his cutters and slower balls. Got the vital wicket of Colin de Grandhomme at the death, and managed to leave Phehlukwayo eight runs to defend in the last over of the match.
