• McLaren included in ODI XI of the decade

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    SACricketmag.com picks the Proteas ODI team of the decade.

    1. Hashim Amla (2010-19; matches: 159; runs: 7,265; average: 49.76)
    Close, but no: Graeme Smith

    • Amla’s decade yielded the most ODI runs for South Africa and included a resounding 26 centuries – five more than any other Proteas batsman.

    2. Quinton de Kock, wicketkeeper (2013-19; matches: 115; runs: 4,907; average: 45.01, catches: 158; stumpings: 8)
    Close, but no: Aiden Markam

    • Few will forget De Kock’s three consecutive ODI centuries against India. Has not looked back at the top of the ODI order since.

    3. Jacques Kallis (2010-14; matches: 33; runs: 1,170; batting average: 37.74; wickets: 25; bowling average: 28.72)
    Close, but no: Rilee Rossouw

    • The last five years of Kallis’ ODI career spanned the first half of the decade. His numbers speak for themselves and are amplified by his dual role as batsman and bowler.
    Jacques Kallis

    4. AB de Villiers (2010-18; matches: 135; runs: 6,485; average: 64.20)
    Close, but no: Farhaan Behardien

    • A lot of the talismanic right-hander’s ODI runs were scored as captain and wicketkeeper. The additional responsibilities never affected his primary role with the bat.

    New magazine issue: Why De Kock must bat at four

    5. Faf du Plessis, captain (2011-19; matches: 143; runs: 5,507; average: 47.47)
    Close, but no: JP Duminy

    • He wasn’t able to win South Africa a World Cup, but was the correct man to take over from De Villiers – and has been the right fit in the ODI middle order for several years.

    6. Rassie van der Dussen (2019; matches: 18; runs: 664; average: 73.77)
    Close, but no: David Miller

    • Van der Dussen has earned a berth in this decade-long XI on the back of one year’s outstanding ODI performances, which have elevated him to the Test squad as well.

    7. Andile Phehlukwayo (2016-19; matches: 52; runs: 549; batting average: 32.29; wickets: 65; bowling average: 29.78)
    Close, but no: Robin Peterson

    • His ability to break key partnerships and bang some big runs down the order has been good, if not great. He will get there, if given time.
    Andile Phehlukwayo
    Andile Phehlukwayo

    8. Ryan McLaren (2010-14; matches: 49; runs: 474; batting average: 20.60; wickets: 73; bowling average: 26.56)
    Close, but no: Wayne Parnell

    • McLaren was reliable in the ODI XI for a significant period. He frequently featured in ‘the next Kallis’ debates, but was never going to live up to such lofty expectations.

    9. Dale Steyn (2010-19; matches: 90; wickets: 145; average: 24.80)
    Close, but no: Chris Morris

    • Steyn bowled more overs in ODI cricket than any other Proteas fast bowler this decade. He was missed when it mattered most at the 2019 World Cup.

    10. Morne Morkel (2010-18; matches: 94; wickets: 154; average: 24.46)
    Close, but no: Kagiso Rabada

    • Marvelous in partnership with Steyn and then Rabada, Morkel was meant to be succeeded by Duanne Olivier or Kyle Abbott. But we know how that ended …

    11. Imran Tahir (2011-19; matches: 107; wickets: 173; average: 24.83)
    Close, but no: Lonwabo Tsotsobe

    • Average in Test cricket and outstanding in T20I competition, the prolific leg-spinner also found a niche in ODIs after becoming a naturalised South African.

    Photo: Gallo Images

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