Adam Bayfield's Player Ratings - Part II - Test Cricket - iSport

South Africa Player Ratings

Graeme Smith - 8

After a subdued start, the skipper produced the definitive captain’s innings in Cape Town, where his brutal 183 set up an unsuccessful charge for victory, and then repeated the feat in Johannesburg with a brilliant, if controversial, 105. His captaincy, however, was often poor, and whispers about his future in the role have begun to circulate.

Ashwell Prince - 1

The erstwhile rock of South Africa’s middle order has seen his reputation eroded after a dismal series as opener. Failed to register a single 50, and looked a walking wicket throughout. In the five deliveries he received from Graeme Swann, he got out three times. A real problem.

Hashim Amla - 9

Quietly, South Africa’s number three had an outstanding series. Prince’s failures meant he became a de facto opener, and he responded magnificently. England thought they had his number beforehand, but he dug in and produced three assured knocks.

Jacques Kallis - 8

Kallis’ two centuries were both vivid demonstrations of his enduring class, yet he also failed on several occasions too, most notably in the collapse at Durban. His bowling lacks penetration these days, and indeed he snared just two wickets, but he remains the Proteas’ key player.

AB De Villiers - 6

This was a strange series for De Villiers, who always threatened to score big but never quite managed to, with a top score of 64. Repeatedly proved, however, why he is universally recognised as the world’s best fielder.

JP Duminy - 4

What has happened to South Africa’s golden boy? His batting verged on atrocious at times, as he struggled against spin, the short delivery and the full delivery, which didn’t leave much room for manoeuvre. The England fielders got in his ear, and he did not like it. His off breaks, however, were surprisingly impressive – he took eight wickets at 21, the best figures of any South African bowler.

Mark Boucher - 9

If England were wondering before the series whether South Africa’s ageless wicketkeeper has still got what it takes, they were left in little doubt afterwards. Boucher proved a frustrating obstacle to the visitors’ efforts to run through the lower order, striking three half-centuries at an average of 57.

Morne Morkel - 8

Felt his way back into the team in Centurion and Durban, before unleashing all hell in the second half of the series. The 25-year-old’s pace and bounce were a real handful, and he firmly announced himself as the world’s hottest bowling prospect.

Dale Steyn - 9

With Morkel, the world’s number one-ranked bowler formed a devastating new-ball partnership. Picked up fifteen wickets in the three Tests he played, and produced one of the most hostile spells of fast bowling seen in recent years against Paul Collingwood in Cape Town. Had he been fit for Centurion, his side would probably have won that game, and with it, in all likelihood, the series.

Wayne Parnell - 6

South Africa’s bright young thing made his Test debut in Johannesburg, and, after a nervy start, bowled impressively in the second innings. One to watch, for sure.

Ryan Mclaren - 5

The journeyman all-rounder is probably not Test class, and indeed may not play another game at this level, but let nobody down in his solitary outing at the Wanderers.

Paul Harris - 3

In the past, Harris has never let a little thing like being rubbish get in the way of being successful, but he struggled badly against England. Took five wickets in the first innings in Centurion, but was poor thereafter, failing to find the right length and allowing the opposition batsmen too many easy runs.

Makhaya Ntini - 2

This was a series too far for South Africa’s most iconic player. Picked up a richly deserved 100th Test cap at Centurion, but lacked pace, penetration and, most importantly, wickets. A sad way to end a wonderful career.

Friedel De Wet - 6

If a back injury means De Wet never plays cricket again, as some of the gloomier forecasts are suggesting, that would be a terrible shame, because he showed enough glimpses in his two appearances to suggest he could have become a useful, if not special, Test cricketer.

(These ratings are based on author Adam Bayfield's evaluation and understanding. iSport.in purely serves as a platform to present the same to all its readers. Please feel free to get in touch with the author should you have any queries or comments or suggestions regarding the same. iSport does not endorse the same.)