The Cricketer assesses the performances of The Proteas who endured an injury-ravaged campaign and failed to reach the knock-out stage
(9 matches, 387 runs, ave 64.20, 10 catches)
Three fifties and a century do not really tell the full story of the South Africa captain's campaign. Forced to work with a depleted bowling attacking for much of the competition due to a raft of injuries, his hands were tied from the outset. Failure to win any of their opening four matches ended any hopes of a semi-final berth before they'd begun as his allrounders understandably struggled to fill the void. That he managed to keep the runs flowing is a testament to his class, with his 93-ball century against Australia a minor consolation for an otherwise wretched five weeks.
Grade: C-
(9 matches, 305 runs, ave 38.12, 9 catches)
Was unable to take his form from the Indian Premier League with the bat into the World Cup, with just three half centuries in nine innings as part of a troubled South Africa top order. But it was behind the stumps where the Johannesburg native excelled, taking a spate of catches which could rival any in the tournament. The grabs to get Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell were inspired and yet required different levels of athleticism. In that Australia game, the delicate flick which ran-out Marcus Stoinis again highlighted how he is on a different level with the gloves.
Grade: C
(7 matches, 203 runs, ave 40.60, 4 catches)
A disappointing World Cup send-off for a legend of modern-day one-day international cricket. Never really recovered both physically and mentally from having his neck snapped back by a 90mph Jofra Archer bouncer in the opening game against England. Returned with successive scores of six in his next two appearances before a low-pressure 41 against Afghanistan.
Fought his way back into form with a dogged half-century in the narrow loss to New Zealand and signed off his World Cup career with a virtuoso 80 not out in victory over Sri Lanka. Was not given the finale he deserved in this competition after being left-out for the win over Australia. Not done yet in international cricket, but at 36 this is surely the last we've seen of him in the 50-over showcase.
Grade: D-
Faf du Plessis held together a troubled South Africa side
(8 matches, 140 runs, ave 23.33, 1 wicket, ave 76.00, 5 catches)
Unable to repeat his form from the One-Day Cup with Hampshire, though in slightly difficult circumstances. In six innings he failed to score more than 45 and struggled to implement his dogged style in an elite international setting. Being shuffled up and down the order, primarily due to the head injury suffered by Hashim Amla but also due to the team's rather woeful form. Nevertheless, he should have acted as a better foil to the likes of Quinton de Kock and Fas du Plessis.
Only bowled 12 overs during the tournament, significantly less than might have been expected and was often used to fill in overs rather than to stem the flow in any positive way. Certainly likely to be among South Africa's future but work still to do.
Grade: E
(9 matches, 311 runs, ave 62.20, 3 catches)
One of the few genuine positives to emerge from a tournament which will otherwise draw painful memories. A late-comer to international cricket and you wonder where he has been hiding. In just his 10th ODI he struck a fine half century in the opener against England at The Oval. Amid Amla's fitness issues there is an argument he should have been promoted up the order faster than he was. Supreme through the leg-side, as shown as he struck 67 at a strike-rate of 104.68 against New Zealand. Missed out on what would have been a much-deserved century against Australia after a six-laden 96 at Old Trafford. Next generation should be built around him.
Grade: B-
(6 matches, 136 runs, ave 38.12)
Another player whose role within the team is slightly confused. Used in the position of pinch-hitter but produces sticky innings, playing the anchor in the lower order when something more expansive is required. Made four scores in the 30s, often being dismissed when he tried to up the ante - something he clearly wasn't comfortable with. At 30 years old there is some uncertainty over this upcoming World Cup cycle.
Grade:
Imran Tahir rolled back the years at 40 years old
(5 matches, 70 runs, ave 17.50, 1 wicket, ave 61.00, 2 catches)
Surely the end of the international road for this jack-of-no trades. It was almost cruel how prominent a role he was given in this team given he lacks the peccary skills for the job. Without an ODI century for over four years, he was asked to come in at No.6 in the first three matches and only once got into double figures. With the ball he was gentle, at best, lacking anything resembling control or even a modicum of threat. As many legends of South African cricket take their leave, he will slip silently into the distance without more than a whimper. Thanks for coming.
Grade: F+
(9 matches, 133 runs, ave 33.25, 11 wickets, ave 30.54)
0 catches
Initially meant to play a bit-part role with bat and ball, the 23-year-old quickly became a front-line figure due to The Proteas' injury crisis and dramatic loss of form. By and large, Phehlukwayo dealt with the added responsibility, finishing at the team's leading allrounder, with only Chris Morris taking more than his 11 wickets across the nine games.
In the absence of Dale Steyn and Ngidi he would often be used in the death overs and only against New Zealand was he really punished. With the bat he was often thrust into positions requiring a rebuild but performed admirably, hitting 34 against India, and an unbeaten 32-ball 46 against Pakistan from the No.7 position. One to look out as the four-time semi-finalists begin their post-world Cup rebuilding job.
Grade: C+
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(3 matches, 3 runs, ave 1.50, 5 wickets, ave 18.80)
Many South African fans might wonder why Pretorius was dumped so unceremoniously after the England defeat as other parts of their pace attack fell apart. The 30-year-old went for a run-a-ball at The Oval, hardly a demolition against a side who put on 311 for 8, but Ngidi and Steyn sitting on the sidelines he was not seen again for another month for the clash with Sri Lanka.
He made up for lost time by blowing away one of the most talented top orders in the competition. Was retained for the Australia clash when again he proved decisive, dismissing Aaron Finch and Steve Smith within 15 balls.
Grade: B-
(9 matches, 58 runs, ave 29, 11 wickets, ave 36.09, 3 catches)
Came into the tournament having had his Indian Premier League campaign - which he finished as the leading wicket-taker - curtailed by a back injury. Though he did not appear physically restrained, there is little doubt Rabada performed well short of his best during much of the campaign.
He lack a snap and zip for which he is well known, the nadir of the campaign coming when he was wicketless for 65 against Pakistan. Back-end of the tournament saw him return to something like his best with his accurate death bowling securing the win over Australia. But much like South Africa's campaign, his best work came when it was too late.
Grade: D
(4 matches, 7 runs, ave 7, 7 wickets, ave 30.14)
Much was expected of Ngidi before the World Cup began with an average of 15. That reputation swelled with an impressive showing in the opening game against England at The Oval, where he bowled with variation and an acute awareness of the conditions and took 3-66. But four overs into his spell in the second game against Bangladesh he picked up a hamstring injury which forced him to miss the next three matches.
By the time he returned, South Africa were heading out of the tournament and his contributions were slightly half-baked. He picked up another three-wicket haul against Pakistan, wiping out the middle order, but it was an inconsequential haul. He'll be back for more, however.
Grade: C
(8 matches, 74 runs, ave 24.66, 13 wickets, ave 26.23, 3 catches)
As Du Plessis constantly had to shuffle his allrounders, Morris was often used at the end of the innings with the ball. With a trio of three-fors and an average of below 27 it might appear as though the 32-year-old had a decent tournament but in truth, the numbers flatter his contribution. He was often carted around late on, going for above a run-a-ball against Bangladesh, Pakistan and Australia. Without a pace to test lower order batsman, if he ever got his lengths wrong it would be picked up easily and hit for boundaries. Hard to see him surviving the post-World Cup fall-out.
Grade:
Kagiso Rabada only showed brief glimpses of his best
(9 matches, 11 runs, ave 5.50, 11 wickets, ave 34 2 catches)
Allan Donald. Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn. Three of South Africa's greatest bowlers in World Cups, yet none can get close to this iconic leg-spinner. Tahir's ODI career might be over but he departs with a fine legacy, as his country's highest World Cup wicket-taker. He went to the top of the standings in typically exuberant fashion, a fabulous caught and bowled dismissal of Imam-ul-Haq against Pakistan.
It is a tribute to his ability and skill that on pitches which provided little encouragement for the spinners that he was still a major threat. Set the tone for a productive tournament with a wicket from the second ball of the tournament to get Jonny Bairstow.
Grade: B+
(2 matches)
Belatedly called up to replace Dale Steyn, who missed the first handful of matches due to a shoulder injury. After being named in the team to face West Indies - a match which was rained off - he bowled five overs against Afghanistan, finishing with 0-25. Virtually impossible to gauge his contribution, but at 29 it is hard to see him around in four years time.
Grade: D
(2 matches)
Bowled 18 wicketless, yet conservative overs across his two outings against India and Australia. With Tahir having retired there is clearly a berth in this side for him, but his performances this summer will not have helped his cause.
Grade: D-
Did not feature: Dale Steyn
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