South Africa v England series grades: Every player's report card after three entertaining T20Is

The Cricketer plays schoolmaster to deliver verdicts on all 24 players who took part in the recent series in Paarl and Cape Town

ENGLAND

Jason Roy (3 matches, 30 runs, ave 10.00)

The pressure is on for Roy after a poor series. With only one year to go until the T20 World Cup in India, he needs to be making his case for selection with others banging on the door. He looked uncomfortable throughout his three knocks, but he knows what he has to do between now and the next series.

D

Jos Buttler (3 matches, 96 runs, ave 48.00)

Buttler was merely an anchor in the final T20 at Newlands. Despite scoring 50 he was overshadowed by England’s No.3 but played a key role in a difficult chase. In the other matches, he got starts but couldn’t go on. A solid series overall.

B

Dawid Malan (3 matches, 173 runs, ave 86.50)

Simply sensational. The number one batsman in T20 cricket proved why he comes with the tag. Dawid Malan was excellent in the second game – scoring 55 after a slow start to steer England to victory, before scoring a magnificent 99 not out in the final game to claim the clean sweep over The Proteas. Ferocious ball striking and Malan at his best. He won’t want this little purple patch to end.

A+

Jonny Bairstow (3 matches, 89 runs, ave 89.00)

In the first match at Newlands, Jonny Bairstow continued his love affair with the place. He scored a sublime 86 not out to help England over the line and get the series off to a good start. His destructive style made for great viewing.

B+

_{Jonny Bairstow struck 86 not out in the opening T20I at Newlands}

Ben Stokes (3 matches, 53 runs, ave 25.50, 2 wickets, ave 20.00)

Stokes had a quiet series, that ended with him hurting his hand on an advertising board. He scored 37 in the opening match, playing a supporting role for Bairstow. There weren’t many fireworks with either bat or ball.

B-

Eoin Morgan (3 matches, 38 runs, ave 38.00)

Like Stokes, Morgan had a quiet series. However, it was no fault of his – it’s just the joys of batting in England’s middle order at the minute: you may be needed, or you might not – makes for an easy gig when you’re watching top players from the comfort of the dressing room balcony. He did however help his side secure victory in Paarl.

B-

Sam Curran (3 matches, 8 runs, ave 8.00, 3 wickets, ave 29.00)

England’s little firecracker in red-ball cricket had another go at opening the bowling in white-ball cricket and got three wickets. However, he got carted around Newland in the last game – 35 runs conceded off three overs and didn’t bowl his full allocation.

B-

Chris Jordan (3 matches, 3 runs, ave -, 3 wickets, ave 37.00)

Jordan got a lot of attention in this series. He ended it by becoming England’s leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket, overtaking Stuart Broad. It was a fair return as he bowled well throughout, grabbing the odd pole along the way. Bravo sir.

B

Jofra Archer (3 matches, 2 wickets, ave 45.00)

You can always rely on Jof. Archer came into this series off the back of an impressive IPL campaign with Rajasthan Royals and he translated his franchise form to the international scene. In the second match at Paarl, he went for less than five runs per over – which for T20 cricket is no mean feat.

B

Adil Rashid (3 matches, 2 wickets, ave 35.00)

England’s premier leg-spinner in white-ball cricket has come into his own of late in T20 cricket. An impressive series against Australia in September was followed up by a solid effort here. He has the ability to have the batsmen in knots and bowled better than his series tally suggests.

B

_{Adil Rashid impressed in the series}

Tom Curran (3 matches, 2 wickets, ave 58.00)

Tom Curran was very expensive for England. Struggled to control things and went all over the park. A disappointing series for him, he’ll be looking to bounce back and prove that he’s worthy of a spot on the plane to India next year.

C+

SOUTH AFRICA

Quinton de Kock (3 matches, 77 runs, ave 25.66)

Quinton de Kock had a great IPL, helping Mumbai Indians win the competition. However, he was unable to bring that form to the table in this series. 77 runs in three matches is not what he would have been expecting. He’ll be looking to put the series behind him as we head into the ODI series.

C

Temba Bavuma (3 matches, 50 runs, ave 16.66)

Like de Kock, Bavuma struggled. Averaging less than 17 as an opener is never a great feeling but he’ll learn from his mistakes, dust himself down and go again. There’s a year to go until the T20 World Cup so he has time to work on his game.

C-

Reeza Hendricks (2 matches, 29 runs, ave 14.50)

Hendricks had a disappointing series. Didn’t make the most of his opportunity and struggled. Heading into the ODI series, he’ll want to show why he’s worthy of a spot in this team.

D

Faf du Plessis (3 matches, 121 runs, ave 60.50)

Ah, Faf. Ever-dependable du Plessis did his job and dug South Africa out of some holes. He has this knack of being able to produce magic at the key moments. He should be pleased with his efforts.

B+

Rassie van der Dussen (3 matches, 136 runs, ave 136.00)

Rassie, Rassie, Rassie… he had the time of it, didn’t he? He stood out in the series, especially in the last match where he scored an unbeaten 74 off only 32 deliveries to propel South Africa above 190. It may have been in vain, but an incredible knock nevertheless.

A

Heinrich Klaasen (2 matches, 27 runs, ave 13.50)

Again, another player that struggled. An average of 13.50 in two matches is something that he will want to forget about and move on.

D

George Linde (3 matches, 41 runs, ave 20.50, 2 wickets, ave 36.50)

A jack of all trades is George Linde. If he’s not getting runs, he’s getting wickets; however, his figures don’t tell the full story. He bowled well in Paarl and deserved more out of his effort. He mustn’t be too disappointed, other opportunities will come.

B-

Kagiso Rabada (2 matches, 5 runs, ave -, 1 wicket, ave 57.00)

Rabada ended the series with an injury that has ruled him out of the ODI matches. Up to that point though he had been fairly innocuous and fallen under the radar. With one wicket in his two matches, he would’ve been hoping for more but it wasn’t to be on this occasion.

D

_{Kagiso Rabada missed the final match of the series and will miss the ODI matches}

Lungi Ngidi (3 matches, 4 wickets, ave 26.25

The joint-top wicket-taker in the series, Ngidi impressed. His best figures of 2-31 were a fair reflection on where he is. He can ruffle a few feathers and cause a few problems. He will be one to watch in the ODI series.

A-

Anrich Nortje (2 matches, 1 wicket, ave 58.00)

A quiet series for Nortje, he is capable of more, but he will redeem himself at some point no doubt.

D

Tabraiz Shamsi (3 matches, 4 wickets, ave 25.75)

What a bowler. With his performances throughout the series, it is easy to see why he is one of the best in the world. His 3-19 on a slow pitch in Paarl nearly won South Africa the match, but Malan had other ideas.

A-

Pite van Biljon (2 matches, 7 runs, ave -)

A quiet series for Pite van Biljon, seven not out in two matches. Not really much to be said.

C-

Lutho Simpala (1 match, 0 wickets, ave -)

Drafted in as a replacement for Kagiso Rabada in the last match. There was no pressure on him to deliver. He didn’t take any wickets so it’s hard to say where he’s at. He’ll have the fire in his belly to kick on.

C

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