A despondent Proteas captain Aiden Markram.
Image: AFP
Following South Africa’s semi-final exit in Kolkata at the hands of the Black Caps on Wednesday, Ongama Gcwabe rates the Proteas players’ performances in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India.
Runs: 286, High score: 86*, Strike-rate: 165.31
Markram finished the competition as South Africa’s top run-scorer, a fitting effort for the leader of the team. On the field, the skipper made some sound calls, rotating his bowlers well and making well thought out field placements.
R: 181, HS: 59, SR: 135.07
Going into the tournament, De Kock was by far South Africa’s most in-form batter, having had an excellent SA20 earlier this year. In the World Cup, the batter did not set the world alight, at least not as much as many had anticipated that he would.
However, the experienced batter, alongside Markram, had a number of solid partnerships at the top of the order. De Kock would most likely be the first person to critique himself and say he did not live up to his own standards in India.
R: 228, HS: 61, SR: 170.14
If one would have asked Rickelton if he would take 228 runs at a strike rate of 170 before the tournament, he probably would have. After all, the 29-year-old was not even in the original squad and also was batting out of position.
Semi-final aside, Rickelton was South Africa’s second-best batter after Markram and his numbers also show for it. Based on his ability to adapt in a new position and maintaining a high tempo throughout his innings, Rickelton had a really decent tournament.
R: 207, HS: 45, SR: 146.80
The youngster had a quiet start to the tournament, struggling to spend time in the middle and simply did not score runs. However, towards the backend of South Africa’s campaign, the right-hander showed the world what he is capable of achieving as he rescued the Proteas in multiple spots of bother to relative safety. For a player playing in his maiden World Cup, he can return home with his head held high.
R: 174, HS: 63, SR: 155.35
One can’t help but wonder what Miller would have achieved in his career, including Im the ongoing tournament, had he been batting a position or two higher than the number six batting position.
The damage that he can inflict, especially when he is afforded enough time in the middle, is unmatched. Nonetheless, Miller had a good tournament and showed that he still has a few years left in him in the green and gold.
R: 135, HS: 44 not out, SR: 135
Going into the tournament, Stubbs seemed to have turned the page in terms of his form as he looked in good touch in the SA20, helping the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to their third title.
In the World Cup Stubbs had some standout performances but overall, he just didn’t have the results to show. A strike rate if 135 simply does not cut it, especially in international cricket. At only 25 years old, Stubbs still has the makings to be a star player for South Africa in the future.
R: 73, HS: 55 not out, SR: 169.76; Wickets: 11, Best bowling innings: 4/22, Economy rate: 10.45
With the ball, Jansen had his moments of brilliance in the showpiece event. He took wickets with the new ball and put South Africa in good positions up front. Perhaps his only concern was the amount of runs he conceded.
With the bat, there are a few ball strikers in the world that can hit it quite like Jansen. His unbeaten 55 in the semi-final was simply superb to watch as he proved that he has ice in his veins and the potential to lead from the front with the bat as well.
W: 11, BBI: 3/12, ER: 7.64
For a man that was playing in his first World Cup, Bosch showed no signs of shrinking under pressure. He played as though he had been playing World Cup cricket for many years as he returned 11 wickets, helping South Africa break partnerships post the first powerplay. Bosch had an excellent tournament bowling high pace and being a regular wicket taker.
W: 5, BBI: 2/22, ER: 8.13
Rabada was unlucky for the majority of the tournament as he had catches dropped and things simply not going his way. However, in the tournament he showed good rhythm and bowled as fast as we all know he can. However, for a quick of his calibre, he would have expected more from himself.
W: 5, BBI: 3/24, ER: 8.52
Maharaj played most of the games as the only spinner and had the quicks bowl around him. His economy rate of a touch under nine was decent as his primary role would have been to hold an end while allowing the quicks to strike in the opposite end.
W: 12, BBI: 4/31, ER: 7.19
Ngidi was perhaps South Africa’s best player at the World Cup. Put the semi-final aside, Ngidi’s plans and executions were second to none. With 12 wickets behind his name, Ngidi finished as South Africa’s leading wicket taker as he produced some impressive spells in the tournament.
His slower balls were on point and deceived batters, leading to his success in the competition.
W: 3, BBI: 1/17, ER: 7.80
Linde played three games in the tournament and looked good with the ball.
W: 2, BBI: 2/21, ER: 6.37
For the youngster, the most important thing was to soak up experience and in his two matches, he would have learned a lot. In the future, South Africa will benefit from his inclusion in the squad.
W: 3, BBI: 2/28, ER: 7.12
Nortje, having went in the tournament with little form, he earned two games and returned three wickets. His economy rate was good especially given that he went to the World Cup with an issue of not being able to contain batters’ scoring rates.
Smith only played one game in the tournament and finished unbeaten on three. He too will be a better player having experienced World Cup cricket for the first time.