Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test : South Africa Player Ratings

South Africa bowled out Australia  for a mere 161 to claim a thumping win by an innings and 80 runs and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart. If WACA was bad, then Bellerive Oval was worse. The Proteas fast bowlers were yet again all over the Aussies and scripted fantastic win for their team. After being bowled out for a pea sized total of 85 on the opening day, Australia, batting in response to South Africa ‘s total of 326, were rolled over for just 161 runs. Kyle Abbott was the man under the spotlight as he took 6/77 and triggered a collapse which saw Australia lose 8 wickets for just 32 runs.  So far the series has been completely dominated by the visitors. Most of the team has performed wonderfully. But, a couple of them struggled but their failure cannot behind the victory. Therefore, here in this analysis, we take a look at how the players performed on the individual scale.

1. Stephen Cook – 3/10:

Opener Stephen Cook continued to underperform in this series. After managing poor scores of 0 and 16 in the opening Test at WACA Cook failed to make any impact and was dismissed for just 23 in the only inning which South Africa played in this match.

It seemed that the challenge he was facing in the form of Mitchell Starc and Co was perhaps too tough for him to handle. This is the second time where he has managed to get set but has failed to get going. The right-hander began well and put up a steady 43 run stand with Elgar for the first wicket. However, Starc fury eventually cut short his stay and forced him to depart.

2. Dean Elgar – 3/10:

Dean Elgar also began with confidence against Mitchell Star and Josh Hazlewood. Both the quicks were not in the mood to spare them after witnessing their team bundle out for just 85 inside two sessions. Elgar initially managed to overcome their challenge and survived 61 balls in the middle. But, unfortunately, Starc’s pinpoint yorker to him is all that was needed to slam brakes on his knock.

It was an unplayable delivery and would have captured a batsman 9/10 times on any pitch in any country. The ball came in swinging and beat the left-hander hitting him on the back foot. For a while, some thought it would have missed the leg stump but EagleEye showed that the ball was on its target and Elgar had to walk back at the score of just 17.

3. Hashim Amla – 7.5/10:

Hashim Amla saved South Africa from a potential collapse. After the dismissal of Elgar and Cook, JP Duminy also departed for cheap score leaving South Africa 46/3. Aussies suddenly looked on top and their fast bowlers had full intentions running through the Proteas batting order

But, the under pressure Hashim Amla, who was dismissed for a duck and single in the opening match, proved his class by helping his team fight back into the match, forming crucial partnerships with skipper Faf du Plessis and Temba Bavuma. Amla settled in quickly and showed no signs of discomfort while facing the Aussies. But, unfortunately, was dismissed for a well compiled 47. He might have failed to score big but his resistance laid the platform for Bavuma and De Kock to come and take the innings further.

4. JP Duminy – 2.5/10:

JP Duminy, the centurion in the last game, had contrasting results in this match. South Africa was in need of him yet again and fans expected a similar sort of knock which he played at the WACA from him. But, the left-hander was not lucky enough this time and was removed by Mitchell Starc for just one run. His wicket was a potential opening for the Australians to run through the Proteas batting order as Elgar and Cook had departed shortly before him. But, lucky Amla was there and Duminy failure did not hurt South Africa much.

5. Faf du Plessis – 2.5/10: 

Skipper Faf du Plessis had pretty bad Test match if individual performance as a batsman is concerned. The skipper just had an unproductive 25 ball appearance with Hashim Amla before getting out on 7 runs. Du Plessis actually had a crucial job to do when he walked into bat. South Africa had lost their openers and JP Duminy also departed almost immediately. There was a need for stability at the time. But, unfortunately, the skipper could not contribute enough despite having Amla playing comfortably at the other end. It was a easy time leading the team for his as his fast bowler did their jobs fantastically.

6. Temba Bavuma – 8.5/10:

Temba Bavuma officially is not South Africa’s ‘man for the crisis situation.’ He has developed a habit of rescuing his team from tricky situations either on his own or by teaming with some equally sensible batsman. Bavuma’s 51 at WACA was still afresh in the memories when he came out to bat when South Africa was at 76/4 and help build his team re-build his inning for his team. The right-hander stroked a fluent 74 runs knock and played the catalysts role in two vital stands – 56 with Hashim Amla and a majestic 144 runs stand with Quinton de Kock.

7. Quinton de Kock – 9/10:

Quinton de Kock has virtually cemented his place in the Test team after smashing record as an opener in the limited overs team. De Kock looks in fine form and unstoppable at the moment. All his knocks in the series so far have been very vital in his team’s success. In the opening match, De Kock was pretty unfortunate to miss out on making a three figure mark. And, as anticipated the stylish left-hander went a level up and not only registered his 2nd Test century but also help South Africa score 300 plus in the second innings.

8. Keshav Maharaj – 2.5/10:

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj didn’t have much role to play in the fast bowler-dominated match. Maharaj bowled only 7 overs in total this match as his fast bowling counterparts wrecked havoc on a helpful pitch. He got an opportunity to bat once in this match but was unable to add any valuable run to the scoreboard after being dismissed for just a single run by Hazlewood.

9. Vernon Philander – 9/10:

Vernon Philander was the real hero of the match. The Australia did completely overwhelmed by his gentle yet highly effective seam bowling on day one. The overcast conditions and a supportive pitch acted as a perfect support for him as he rolled over the opposition for just 85 run with his memorable 5/21. He could have done more damage than this if he Steve Smith could have avoided hitting him on the shoulder while taking a run. Well, not putting any blame on the Australian skipper for that incident as both were unaware of each other coming dangerously closer. But, Philander was simply outstanding in the first innings. The second innings was a silent affair for him where he bowled 16 over without any success.

10. Kyle Abbott – 9/10:

Australia can say that Philander’s stormy bowling was unexpected but they can’t say the same about Kyle Abbott. The right arm fast bowler had already shown signs of bowling a match – winning spell in the first innings spell itself where he took 3 wickets for 41.

In the second innings, Abbott rose up to the occasion and bowled a splendid spell of 6/77 at a time when Philander was been cautiously played out. He was bowling in his best rhythm. Some of the deliveries from him were unplayable. David Warner would agree with that.

11. Kagiso Rabada – 8/10:

The young fast bowling sensation impressed once again by finishing with numbers of 1/20 and 4/34. Rabada didn’t actually much work to do in the first innings where his senior mates Vernon Philander and Kyle Abbott did all the talking. But, Rabada seized the opportunity in the second innings and bowled superbly to take a four wicket haul while making sure his team wrapped up the match on the fourth day itself.