Our take on how the Proteas performed in the pool game against the West Indies at Sydney.
Quinton de Kock: De Kock was frequently cramped for room by Jason Holder, who wisely approached the left-hander from around the wicket. He survived several inside edges against the in-swing, which missed the leg-stump by mere whiskers – and then mistakenly chased a boundary via the aerial route the very first time he was offered marginal width. The unnecessary need for flair and flamboyance, as was the case against India, proved costly for the youngster. No genuine questions for his wicketkeeping skills; the stumping of Darren Sammy was a corker. Rating: 3/10
Hashim Amla: The steely opener fared particularly well against the spin of Sulieman Benn, batting from deep in the crease. Characteristically wristy shot selection was a treat to the eye – and that six lofted over long-off to bring up his half-century was a true delight. His foundation was exactly what was required for De Villiers to launch later. Rating: 7/10
Faf du Plessis: Unlike Amla, Du Plessis was eager to use his feet down the track to the spinners. Initially accused of unsuccessfully chasing boundaries instead of turning the singles, he eventually increased the scoring rate through a good mix of both. It took some sharp bounce from Chris Gayle – and Denesh Ramdin’s wonderful catch – to end an innings that was quickly blossoming. Arguably more impressively, were the handful of overs of leg-spin Du Plessis put in. His ability with the ball could come in handy down the line. Rating: 7/10
Rilee Rossouw: Opportunity knocked in the absence of the injured JP Duminy – and Rossouw dutifully obliged. There was plenty to do after Du Plessis and Amla fell in quick succession, with Rossouw quick to the task. The nerves and ducks that dogged the start of his ODI career were not apparent in his first World Cup match. Having the cool, calm and collected De Villiers on the other side helped. A berth in the first-choice XI for the remainder of the tournament is surely secured. Rating: 7.5/10
AB de Villiers: What more can be revealed about this prodigious talent, other than a near endless stream of statistics? Here’s a fun one, regardless: he has now hit more sixes in his last three ODI knocks than Alastair Cook did in his entire career. His premeditation of length – and anticipation of line – is unrivalled at the moment. Jason Holder – as opposition bowler and opposing captain – is now well and truly De Villiers’ bunny. Rating: 10/10
David Miller: It’s hard to find fault in a very convincing win for South Africa, but Miller’s inability to pre-empt Holder’s approach against the left-hander was noticeable. Bowling from around the wicket, the right-armer purposefully pitched wide and full. Instead of moving toward the line and length, Miller offered himself room, and often missed or miscued. As luck would have it, when he did eventually get under one from Andre Russell, Jerome Taylor was at hand for a fantastic catch in the deep. Rating: 5/10
Farhaan Behardien: The man who continues to trade places in the limited-overs XI with Wayne Parnell on a regular basis did what was required: play second fiddle to De Villiers through the death overs. He managed to get in a single six of his own – and surprisingly didn’t get a bowl during the Windies’ pursuit. Rating: 6/10
Dale Steyn: The sign of a good side is when their star fast bowler can have a relatively quiet day – and the victory margin remains big. Steyn was economical and nothing more, which was fine on a Friday that demanded Abbott step up after Vernon Philander was sidelined by a hurt hamstring. Full and straight was the command, and the disciplined Steyn hardly erred. Rating: 6/10
Kyle Abbott: The size of South Africa’s total was always going to be diminished if Gayle got off to a whirlwind start. Abbott quickly ensured this wasn’t to be the case – and rightfully celebrated as if he had just won the World Cup when the hard-hitting left-hander’s bails went flying. Marlon Samuels was next in line for the wrath of Abbott, who also took a superb catch at short third man and then pretty much grassed a sitter at backward point. He missed a trick in not properly practising his death bowling toward the end, though. Rating: 8/10
Morne Morkel: His problems in, literally, over-stepping the line are going to cost South Africa dearly one day. No-ball troubles aside, the lanky Morkel extracted the necessary elevation from the Sydney Cricket Ground deck and collected the wicket of the inexperienced Jonathan Carter for his efforts. He, too, bowled the quickest delivery of the day by a long shot – almost 149 km/h. Philander’s return and Abbott’s success, however, might still see Morkel deemed surplus to requirements for some forthcoming fixtures. Rating: 6/10
Imran Tahir: The leg-spinner is only the seventh South African, after seamers Steyn, Lance Klusener, Andrew Hall, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel and Shaun Pollock, to clinch a World Cup five-for. The googly served him very well at the SCG and, dare we suggest a Shane Warne-esque ‘Flipper’ got rid of Lendl Simmons? It’s high time the country start taking him seriously. Rating: 9/10
