How did SA’s players rate in Australia?

Times Media

TELFORD VICE, Cape Town

AUSTRALIA completed a 4-1 hiding over SA in their one-day series on Sunday. We run the rule over the performances of SA’s players (marks out of 10):

AB de Villiers - 8

Wonderful batting from the most gifted player in the game. Would have earned a nine if he had led his team to another victory, and a perfect 10 had SA won the series.

Quinton de Kock - 6

Had a solid time of it behind the sticks, but needed his 107 in front of them on Sunday to push him above average for the tour.

David Miller - 5

Could do better. Must do better.

Hashim Amla - 6

His 102 in Canberra aside, this was a sub-par series for an exceptional player.

Rilee Rossouw - 5

No ducks this time, but he will need more than his 51 on Sunday to stay in the mix.

Farhaan Behardien - 4

His 63 on Sunday - scored in a pressureless dead rubber, lest we forget - cannot hide the obviousness that despite his grit he is out of his depth at this level.

Imran Tahir - 6

Another solid rather than spectacular specular display. He did not go forward, but he also did not go backward.

Faf du Plessis - 4

Ninety-seven runs in five innings is significantly fewer than SA need from him, and not nearly good enough for a player of his experience and ability.

Dale Steyn - 6

Not as scary, nor as successful, than he would have liked. SA need players of his calibre to win matches. This time, he did not.

Robin Peterson - 5

Taking 4/32 in the last match was better than a kick in the head. But, by then, the series was over. In his only other game in the rubber, in Melbourne, his 1/44 off eight overs was a decent display that included the wicket of Steve Smith.

Ryan McLaren - 4

In a word, average.

Vernon Philander - 5

Brilliant in Perth for his 4/45 and 1/16. Poor in Canberra for his 1/70. And why has he forgotten how to bat?

Morne Morkel - 6

Took 10 wickets in four games but also bowled 10 wides. But he does have his impending nuptials on his mind.

Wayne Parnell - 3

Nothing in sport is as infuriating as a player who seems to go out of his way not to make the most of his talent. Needs a smack upside that weird hairstyle.

Kyle Abbott - 6

Blotted his otherwise immaculate copybook with no-balls just when he needed them least.