PLAYER RATINGS: South Africa quicks impress as poorly England limp to Centurion defeat

The Cricketer runs the rule over the performances of all 22 players during the second Test between South Africa and England at SuperSport Park...

SOUTH AFRICA

Dean Elgar (0 & 22): Generously gave Anderson a belated Christmas gift on the opening morning, and fell victim to a strong leap from Buttler next time round in a rare moment where England's bowlers managed to get their tails up. A player of too much class not to show a stronger hand as the series moves forwards. 4

Aiden Markram (20 & 2): Returning to the side from a self-inflicted wrist injury, this time around Markram was unfortunate to see his series end with a finger fracture on the other arm. A brief smattering of sumptuous drives aside, an anonymous cameo of an appearance. 3

Zubayr Hamza (39 & 4): Thrown in at the deep end just one minute into the game after Elgar's misadventures, but acquitted himself well in the first innings to take the early shine off Archer's display. Ultimately fell to one of Broad's better deliveries, though his meagre return in the second dig was the first time he has scored even one run in such knocks since his January debut. 6

Faf du Plessis (29 & 20): A quiet game with the bat, but nevertheless the captain comfortably seemed to have the edge of his opposite number. Clearly relieved at the result more than anything after a torrid time for the South African game, though the next challenge is converting the momemtum into a series win. 5

Rassie van der Dussen (6 & 51): A turgid 34-ball outing on the first morning did the debutant few favours, and his slippery fingers in the field afforded England's batsmen more chances than they deserved. However, his top score in the second attempt demonstrated his prowess in the 50-over format, and he would be unlucky to miss out so soon should Temba Bavuma return in Cape Town. 6

Quinton de Kock (95 & 34): The only batsman on either side to properly assert himself in both turns at the crease. Unlucky to fall five short of a deserved century having lifted his side to a competitive total first time round, and his brisk second outing provided valuable impetus. A deserving player of the match after also becoming the fourth South African wicketkeeper to take six catches in a Test innings. 8

Dwaine Pretorius (33 & 7; 1-23 & 1-26): Took the valuable wicket of Joe Denly in both innings, and proved an able foil for de Kock as they looked to rebuild the Proteas' innings on the opening day. A solid contribution on debut was garnished in the final over of it as he put in a steady effort under a swirling mishit from Buttler to effectively seal the result. 7 

Vernon Philander (35 & 46; 4-16 & 0-35): Marked the start of his final Test series in meticulous fashion, landing the ball on a sixpence to frustrate the England batsmen with 16 maidens and finishing second only to de Kock on the hosts' run charts with spirited marshalling of the tail. With performances like this, South Africa's loss will be Somerset's tremendous gain. 8.5

Keshav Maharaj (6 & 11; 0-18 & 2-37): Though on paper his performance does not suggest England made a terrible decision to play without a specialist spinner – he bowled just four overs in the first innings, and at times leaked runs in the second – his wickets of Sibley and Stokes each provided near-critical blows to England's chase. 6

Kagiso Rabada (12 & 16 not out; 3-68 & 4-103): Not the hosts' most efficient bowler by any stretch – Rabada was the only member of the pace attack to concede more than four an over in either innings, let alone both – but took wickets when it counted and was unplayable for the England tail. 7

Anrich Nortje (0 not out & 40; 2-47 & 3-56): After two dismal outings in India in October, a determined display in his first Test on home soil means his is a name thoroughly worth remembering. The quickest bowler on either side throughout the match, he was rewarded for his bustling efforts with career-best hauls in each innings, and his runs as nightwatchman were worth their weight in gold for the Proteas after a weak top-order display. 8

^{The impressive Anrich Nortje celebrates the second-innings wicket of Joe Root on the way to career-best figures}

ENGLAND

Rory Burns (9 & 84): Again proving himself a worthy choice to open the innings on day three, but adding just seven to his overnight 77 before trying to needlessly hook at Nortje set the tone for England's inevitable crumble. Must remain composed against the suffocating accuracy of Philander to flourish in the series. 7

Dom Sibley (4 & 29): Though his patience is a valuable asset to this England top-order, so too is his wicket. His indecisive departure in the first innings followed a sublime delivery from Rabada, but his meek chip back at Maharaj after 28 promising overs the second time round may well be one he relives again and again. 4.5

Joe Denly (50 & 31; 0-4): The only man to fall to reward debutant Pretorius with a wicket in either innings, but again playing a calm, leading hand before chaos engulfed the remainder of the side. Finally steady at No.3 after a year floating around the side and is one of very few England players to head to Cape Town with an enhanced reputation. 7

Joe Root (29 & 48; 0-26): Another demoralising week at the helm for the England captain, though again there appears to be nobody pleading a case to release him from the burden. Looked by far the most convincing with the bat in hand on the final day, but will be keen to put 2019 behind him. 4

Ben Stokes (35 & 14; 2-22): Playing in challenging personal circumstances and absent for most of the opening day while struggling with dehydration. Minimally involved with the ball – though his eight overs did claim de Kock and Pretorius. Unfair to expect a repeat of Headingley when he came to the crease second time round, despite the scoreboard similarity, though a famous year deserved a better finale. 5

Jonny Bairstow (1 & 9): Perhaps the only man to benefit from England's burgeoning sick bay, with Ollie Pope sidelined and only contributing when Buttler was not well enough to don the gloves on day three. Certainly cannot be criticised for throwing away a start as he failed to come close to making one, and his weak waft at Rabada's second delivery with the new ball was simply egregious. 2

Jos Buttler (12 & 22): On reflection, a third day spent in quarantine may well be Buttler's highlight of the week. Briefly reignited English spirits with four boundaries in his 33-ball second innings, but was perhaps a little hasty in resorting to all-out counterattack and gifted Rabada the game-sealing wicket. 4

Sam Curran (20 & 9; 4-58 & 1-51): Though commentators continue to appear aghast whenever he plays cricket and does his job, Curran continues to shine when afforded the opportunity to. In the first innings, he struck with the first over of three of his spells and the second over of the fourth, though that seemed to be where his luck ran dry. 7

Jofra Archer (3 & 4; 1-65 & 5-102): Gifted the hosts six an over in the second innings, though his five wickets in it – his third such haul in seven Tests – will at least briefly muffle concerns around his below-par scores on the speed gun. Rarely looked as potent as opposite numbers Nortje and Rabada, albeit having never played competitively in South Africa before. 5

Stuart Broad (2 & 6; 4-58 & 1-42): Finished the first innings with the same figures as Curran, flattering his performance. Ends the decade joining Anderson alone in the 400 Test wicket club, but yet again needs to focus on a fuller length if he is to make real inroads like home Ashes campaigns show he can. 5

James Anderson (0 not out & 0 not out; 1-69 & 1-47: The seamer's record 150th Test outing had a fairytale start when Dean Elgar went fishing down the legside and found the very first delivery of it, but otherwise it was an unimpressive return from calf trouble. Added only the fifth-ball wicket of a struggling Markram to his tally when England desperately needed more from him. 3

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