We rate the players’ performances from the Proteas excellent 5-0 ODI series victory against Australia.
Quinton de Kock – 300 runs @ 60, SR: 100.32
8/10
His 178 in the first match set the tone for the rest of the series for the Proteas. An exceptionally gifted talent and probably his best series behind the stumps in his career so far, despite a dropped catch on Wednesday.
Hashim Amla – 74 runs @ 24.66, SR: 123.33
5/10
Unlucky to have missed the second match when fit, he looked in excellent touch in the third ODI. Vulnerable to the straight one, with two plum lbws and a clean bowled in the fifth. Failed to build a decent partnership with De Kock.
Faf du Plessis – 250 runs @ 50.00, SR: 94.33
9/10
Led from the front, galvanised the Proteas into a spirited unit, and scored heaps of runs, too. It was a near-perfect display of all-round cricket from Du Plessis.
Rilee Rossouw – 311 runs @ 77.75, SR: 100.32
9/10
Originally in the squad as batting cover, Rossouw accepted the challenge both as an opener and as a No 4 with some consistently excellent knocks. Loses one mark for the manners in which he gave away his wickets.
JP Duminy – 209 runs @ 41.80, SR: 98.58, 1 wicket @ 70, Econ: 5.83
7/10
Two brilliant knocks to go with his 82 in the New Zealand Test series. Duminy is still lacking a bit of consistency and confidence, but he was close to his best with some excellent strokes throughout.
David Miller – 193 runs @ 96.50, SR: 142.96
8/10
Fantastic response from Miller after he was dropped for the Tri-Nation series. It was a coming-of-age century to lead his side to victory in Durban, and his strike rate throughout the series was phenomenal.
Farhaan Behardien – 30 runs @ 30.00, SR: 88.23, 0 wickets, Econ: 7.50
4/10
Harsh rating on Behardien given his limited role, but if the team continues to use him in an ineffective role, then he’s going to find himself surplus to requirements sooner or later.
Dwaine Pretorius – 15 runs @ 15.00, SR: 75.00, 1 wicket @ 75.00, Econ: 5.76
5/10
Didn’t get too much of a chance but didn’t let himself down. Did well with the new ball in Port Elizabeth but lacking the pace to be a constant threat.
Andile Phehlukwayo – 66 runs @ 66.00, SR: 117.85, 8 wickets @ 30.00, Econ: 6.20
8/10
An all-round effort throughout to cherish for the Proteas. 4-44 in the first game on his way to being the leading wicket-taker in the series, and a brilliant 42 not out in Durban to allow Miller to see their side over the line in one of the great ODIs.
Wayne Parnell – 8 runs, 4 wickets @ 24.00, Econ: 6.40
6/10
A touch expensive but four important wickets from the two matches he played before injury ruled him out.
Kagiso Rabada – 9 runs, 5 wickets @ 52.80, Econ: 7.33
4/10
The 21-year-old has set high standards for himself since he made his debut, so this series will go down as his most disappointing one. He’s only human after all, and will come back stronger for it.
Dale Steyn – 6 runs, 5 wickets @ 50.80, Econ: 6.99
4/10
A similarly sub-standard display from Steyn, who now has the worst-ever ODI figures by a South African. But he provided a bit more of a threat with the new ball, especially in the first game. It was good to get some mileage in the bag ahead of the Test series, but his ODI days are most certainly numbered.
Kyle Abbott – 6 wickets @ 14.66, Econ: 4.88
8.5/10
He must wonder what he’s got to do to get a game when he produces the two performances that he did at the back-end of the series. Man of the Match in the 4th ODI and two dropped catches off his bowling in the fifth, constantly beating the outside edge before taking two big wickets.
Imran Tahir – 6 wickets @ 28.83, Econ: 4.67
7.5/10
Didn’t take as many wickets as he usually does, but remains the heart and soul of the side and expressed that vehemently in Cape Town. A constant threat with the batsmen too nervous to play positively against him, he picked up at least one wicket in each game he played.
Tabraiz Shamsi/Aaron Phangiso 3 wickets @ 12, Econ: 3.60/2 wickets @ 8.50, Econ: 3.64
8/10
One game apiece for the spinners who took five wickets between them. Both were unlucky not to get more game time, as they expressed South Africa’s depth in the spin department.
Photo: Deryck Foster/Backpage Pix
