The Proteas are back in the country following another disappointing Cricket World Cup. JOHN GOLIATH rates the players’ performance during their stay in the United Kingdom.

Quinton de Kock – 6 (305 runs @ 38.12, 9 catches)

Scored three half-centuries, but couldn’t convert one into a really big score when the team needed him to. Played some terrible shots to get out. The one against England was especially poor, as South Africa desperately needed a partnership. He was again very good behind the stumps, but the Proteas needed a lot more of him with the bat.

Hashim Amla – 5 (203 runs @ 40.60)

The legend Amla got some runs in the warm-up matches, but just couldn’t find his timing during this tournament. Was concussed by a ball that hit his helmet against England and was targeted with the short ball throughout. Made two half-centuries, including an 80 in the dead rubber against Sri Lanka. But a strike rate of 65 throughout the World Cup was just not good enough.

Aiden Markram – 4 (140 runs @ 23.33)

Markram was selected for this tournament on the back of a marvellous run for Hampshire, but he failed to make an impact for the Proteas. Looked really good at the start of most of his innings, but got out many times in the 20s and 30s, either prodding outside the off-stump or playing a loose shot. Bowled some handy off-spin.

Faf du Plessis – 7 (387 runs @ 64.50)

Du Plessis scored the most runs for the Proteas at the World Cup, as well as the team’s solitary century during their five-week stay in England. But he too threw his wicket away on a couple of occasions playing a false shot, as their shoddy batting cost them more than once. His captaincy was ‘OK’ under the circumstances, and remains a key player for the Proteas in all formats.

Rassie van der Dussen – 7 (311 runs @ 62.20)

Van der Dussen looked like the one South African batsman who actually had a game plan. Normally started his knocks cautiously, because of early wickets, but accelerated nicely afterwards. The Lions man has got a super temperament and he can bat in different situations. If he can find ways to score and rotate the strike against quality spin bowling, he could become world-class.

JP Duminy – 3 (70 runs @ 17.50, 1 wicket @ 61.00)

It wasn’t the farewell that the diminutive Dumuny was hoping for, both from a team and personal perspective. Had four chances to bat during the tournament, but could only muster a highest score of 45. Duminy took one wicket with his part-time off-spin and went for over 6.50 runs with ball in hand.

David Miller – 4 (136 runs @ 34.00)

South Africa’s finisher also didn’t have the greatest tournament and is yet to score a half-century in ODI cricket in 2019. He was in a lot earlier that he would have liked during most of the matches, but didn’t show the sort of form and composure that he displayed at the previous edition in Australia and New Zealand. Also struggled to accelerate the scoring in the death overs in most of the matches he played.

Dwaine Pretorius – 6 (3 runs @ 1.50, 5 wickets @ 18.80)

The big all-rounder only played three matches, but made a big impact with the ball in the last two outings against Sri Lanka and Australia. Bowled wicket to wicket and showed that he can have a say with the ball in hand, even though he isn’t that quick. Only managed to face six balls with the bat.

Andile Phehlukwayo – 6 (133 @ 32.25, 11 wickets @ 30.54)

South Africa’s premier all-rounder started off really well, but his form really tailed off towards the end of the tournament. Got a highest score of 45 not out, but could have contributed a few more runs in the death overs with the bat, as he sometimes struggled to get the ball off the square. Bowled well at the start of the tournament, but struggled with his lines and lengths later on.

Chris Morris – 7 (74 @ 24.66, 13 wickets @ 26.23)

Morris wasn’t in the Proteas’ initial squad, but ended up being one of South Africa’s best players at this World Cup. Managed to pick up the most wickets for the Proteas at the tournament and almost bowled the team to victory in the key match against New Zealand. He also had a couple of good outings with the bat.

Kagiso Rabada – 5 (11 wickets @ 39.09)

South Africa’s No 1 fast bowler looked jaded for most of the tournament and only showed glimpses of his unbelievable ability with the ball in his hands. Displayed some real fire in the matches against India and Australia, but the lack of a management plan over the last couple of years had him operating well below his usual standards.

Imran Tahir – 7 (11 wickets @ 34.00)

Tahir’s farewell tournament was more steady than spectacular, certainly in terms of the amount of wickets he took in the World Cup. But he played a massive part in giving Du Plessis some sort of control in middle overs, as he went for less than five runs an over in his nine matches. He also bowled really well with the new ball when given the responsibility.

Lungi Ngidi – 4 (7 wickets @ 30.14)

Ngidi looked like he was struggling to get to the crease and was bowling within himself in the first couple of games, before he was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Ngidi was injured before the tournament and his conditioning didn’t look great, as he went for over six an over in the tournament. Probably should have sat this World Cup out.

Tabraiz Shamsi – 3 (0 wickets)

Shamsi only had two outings for the Proteas and didn’t make any breakthroughs. Needs to up his game if he is to become a worthy heir to Tahir’s spin throne.

Beuran Hendricks – N/A

Only featured in the game against Afghanistan after Dale Steyn was sent home because of injury.