South Africa v Australia T20I series: South Africa Player Ratings

The 3 match T20 International series between Australia and South Africa concluded with Australia taking the series 2-1 after some scintillating performance in the 2nd and 3rd T20Is. South Africa on the other hand was left to lick their wounds as they failed to defend two big scores in two consecutive matches.

Here is how the players of the South Africa got rated according to the performance in the series:

Faf du Plessis – 6/10

The captain of the team Faf du Plessis did his bit with the bat in the first two matches. In the first match he anchored the innings in a tense chase, while in the second match, he top scored with 79 to ensure that South Africa crossed 200.

But his inability to stop the bowlers from leaking runs meant that Australia chased down the total in the second match, creating a record in the process. Same thing happened in the decider, as Australia made mockery of a tough chase. Du Plessis needs to think of new strategies if South Africa needs to have any chance in upcoming World T20.

AB de Villiers – 2/10

AB de Villiers looked like a fish out of water in the 2 matches he played. He was asked to open the innings with Quinton de Kock to give impetus to the innings. The Australian bowlers caught him with surprise and he was out for a golden duck in the first match and made a promising 13 before getting castled by John Hastings.

Quinton de Kock – 6/10

Quinton de Kock was good behind the stumps with the gloves. He succeeded in giving South Africa quick starts in two games out of three. He will have to do much more than that on the Indian pitches and score big runs and not just 40 odds if South Africa needs to have any chance in the World T20 2016.

Hashim Amla – 7/10

Hashim Amla got to play just 1 match and he made it count for himself. Making his highest T20I score of 97* and taking Proteas to 178 in the decider, he did all he could for his team and showed the selectors why he should open in the World T20 in India.

David Miller – 8/10

David Miller performed his role of hitting the ball out of the ground admirably. Scored a fiery 50 in the first match, gave impetus to the innings in the 2^nd match and 3^rd match. 116 runs in 3 matches is more than enough to ask from a hitter and Miller in form is a good news for the South Africa.

Rilee Rossouw – 4/10

Young Rossouw got limited chances in this series and he couldn’t do much except for a couple of sub 20 scores. If he wants to feature in the XI consistently, he needs to bring something more to the table. His technique and hitting abilities will be tested on the Indian pitches.

JP Duminy – 3/10

JP Duminy was in tremendous form against India during the T20I and ODI series. But in this series, he certainly failed to get bat on ball. Just 20 runs in 3 matches don’t do justice to the talent of this guy. Even his bowling failed this time and he gave away 24 runs in one over in the 2^nd match, which brought back Australia in the game, where they were chasing 205 runs to win.

David Wiese – 4/10

The genuine all-rounder of the team, David Wiese had his moments in the series. He gave the deserved finishes to the innings where he got to bat. With the ball in the hand, he looked ordinary against a class batting lineup. And he will never forget 4 overs for 58 runs.

Farhan Behardian – 2/10

Farhan Behardian got only one game in the series and he made just 3 runs. So there is nothing more to write about him. Though if given a chance, he can contribute more, but he is not a power hitter and that thing goes against him.

Chris Morris – 3/10

The all-rounder, who won South Africa a couple of matches in the ODI series, had a forgettable T20I series. He went for 74 runs in 7 overs in the series and picked just 2 wickets and was dropped for the deciding match.

Kyle Abbott – 4/10

Kyle Abbott picked up 1 wicket in the 2 matches he played but he showed that he had the control needed to bowl in the death overs or at the beginning. But he will find it difficult to make way into the team because of the return of Dale Steyn.

Kagiso Rabada – 6/10

The young Rabada impressed with his pace. He also bowled economically and picked 5 wickets in the series. It is a good sign for the Proteas that their new ball bowler can ball equally good at the start and at the end.

Imran Tahir – 6/10

South Africa’s biggest hope in the upcoming World T20 in India, Imran Tahir got a pasting as he went for 8.83 runs per over in the series and picked up 5 wickets. His best bowling came in the 1st T20I, where he bowled 4 overs for 21 runs and got 3 overs and helped South Africa win the match. It went all wrong for him in the 2nd match, where he conceded 47 runs in 4 overs. But his experience in IPL will prove fruitful for South Africa in the World T20, where the pitches are going to assist spinners.

Dale Steyn – 5/10

Dale Steyn made his return after the injury sabbatical. Though he picked just 2 wickets in 2 matches, he proved that he was back to his full fitness and bowled fast and swung the ball. He will have to be at his best in India for the World T20, if South Africa wants to go beyond the group stage.