Anrich Nortje (centre) enjoyed a happy campaign in the T20 World Cup. Picture: Isuru Sameera Peiris/Gallo Images
South Africa once again flattered to deceive at a cricket world cup tournament, a T20 World Cup semifinal place looking within their grasp before a shock loss to the Netherlands.
At the tournament in Australia, the Proteas played five games: their match against Zimbabwe was rained out, they beat Bangladesh and India and lost to Pakistan and the Netherlands.
11 wickets @ 8.54, Econ 5.37, BB 4-10
Pushed himself farther than any of the other bowlers and enjoyed a superb tournament. High pace, good control and even some slower balls saw him twice take four wickets in an innings.
78 runs @ 78.00, SR 116.41, HS 59*.
The left-hander’s beloved finishing ability was to the fore against India, but unfortunately he could not repeat the heroics against the Netherlands, thanks to a spectacular catch.
Still South Africa’s best in the middle-order, he was sorely missed against Pakistan due to his back spasm.
141 runs @ 35.25, SR 169.87, HS 109.
The crowds were cheering him after his magnificent century against Bangladesh, but he failed against India and Pakistan, while he looked threatening but gave it away versus the Netherlands. Shot-selection can sometimes let him down.
5 wickets @ 20.40, Econ 6.37, BB 3-15. 5 runs @ 2.50, SR 38.46, HS 3.
Did grand work up front with the new ball, but was expensive at the death, conceding 26 runs in the two overs he bowled there against Pakistan and the Netherlands. His batting was barely functional for an all-rounder.
3 wickets @ 29.66, Econ 7.41, BB 2-27.
You can always rely on Maharaj’s left-arm spin to be tidy and controlled, which it once again was.
124 runs @ 31.00, SR 161.03, HS 63.
Magnificent in the first two games, and then his batting fell away as his feet often looked entombed in concrete. Also tended to be a bit solemn in the field, when teams normally look to their wicketkeeper to provide the spark.
4 wickets @ 14.00, Econ 7.00, BB 3-20.
Only used by the Proteas in the two matches in Sydney; Bangladesh’s demise was hastened by his three wickets, but then Shamsi was put to the sword in one over by Pakistan’s Shadab Khan.
7 wickets @ 16.57, Econ 8.92, BB 4-29.
Missed the match against Bangladesh but bounced back with an outstanding display against India. Was disappointing when the Proteas exited the competition in Adelaide, his performance not being up to scratch on a pitch that suited him.
99 runs @ 24.75, SR 125.31, HS 52. 1 wicket @ 21.00, Econ 7.00, BB 1-16.
Always looks so technically correct at the crease, and his half-century against India was an innings of proper class. Got in and got out though against Pakistan and the Netherlands. Bowled three overs of tidy off-spin.
36 runs @ 18.00, SR 133.33, HS 21.
The difficulties of the role can be seen in the performances of the Proteas’ back-up finisher. Would obviously have liked to have changed the results of the two matches he played in, against Pakistan and the Netherlands, but his strike-rate was okay.
70 runs @ 17.50, SR 112.90, HS 36.
Again found life at the top of the order tough, although his 36 off 19 balls against Pakistan seemed to have revitalised him. Can there be any future for him in T20 Internationals?
Read more: Bavuma on chokers tag, captaincy after Proteas’ World Cup exit
2 wickets @ 75.50, Econ 9.43, BB 1-24.
South Africa’s premier fast bowler was a bit like the husband who does not do his chores around the house. The expectation was there, in perfect conditions for him, and he looked good at the start of the tournament, but he was tardy in the last two matches.
31 runs @ 10.33, SR 100.00, HS 18.
An unforgiving World Cup debut for the 22-year-old as he was just not able to provide much acceleration at the death. Perhaps he pushed too hard, too early, but the Proteas should certainly give him more opportunities.
Did not play: Marco Jansen and Reeza Hendricks
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