Imran, Morne SA’s top bowlers at World Cup, but who flopped?
GOT A career-best score against Ireland and a half-century against the West Indies, but other than that failed to dominate at the top of the order. Domination for him means batting a minimum of 25 overs and he managed that on just the two occasions. Seemed to change to a more aggressive approach to off-set his opening partner’s poor form but that didn’t help his side, who needed more from one of their star players. ONE innings aside, this was a poor World Cup for the young left-hander. Could barely get on the board until the quarter-final. In the semi-final he played an injudicious stroke against Boult and then in the field his misfield off a Rossouw throw with Grant Elliott stranded was extremely costly. Seemed short of confidence in the Pool stages and only retained his place as a result of De Villiers’ reluctance to keep. ONE of South Africa’s best players in the tournament. Did his job superbly in the No 3 role; consolidating – which occurred often because of De Kock’s poor form – and then providing the foundation from which the late-innings fireworks occurred. Superb innings in the semi-final where his composure was exemplary. Watching him in the field is one of the great sights in cricket these days – aggressive and quick to the ball – he is also one of the best catchers in the game. THE injury to Duminy before the West Indies match opened the door for him, and he strode through so well they couldn’t drop him. Hit the ball cleanly and always gave the innings impetus. Showed great maturity during that partnership with Du Plessis in the semi-final, absorbing the pressure being exerted by Boult and Co. Excellent in the field – however did he have to throw the ball so hard to De Villiers with Corey Anderson stranded on 32? CLAIMED that he couldn’t win the World Cup on his own, but then in the semi-final did everything in his power to do just that, even bowling himself in the last five overs. You can’t fault De Villiers’ heart nor the belief he had in his team – which sometimes seemed misplaced. Batted magnificently, with that innings against the West Indies one of the alltime great World Cup knocks. Easily makes a composite team of the best players at this year’s tournament. STARTED with that superb century against Zimbabwe, when he came to the crease with the side under pressure on 84/4. Was hitting the ball well throughout the competition – except for the match against Pakistan. That 18-ball 49 against New Zealand transformed South Africa’s innings and underlined his value to the team. He’ll be an important player in the limited overs formats. A versatile fielder, who is excellent in the inner-ring and on the boundary. AN important century against Zimbabwe, he then missed a couple of matches with a side-strain. Struggled as the main contributor to the fifth bowler ration, with the exception of course being that quarter-final where PLAYED in four matches but never produced anything definitive throughout the tournament. Suffered with that hamstring problem before the Pool match against India and wasn’t 100% even in the semi-final. Bowled a lot better than people have given him credit for in that match. Unlikely to feature in the limited overs teams again. VERYdisappointing tournament for the leader of the South African attack. Battled illness in the first few weeks but in that Pakistan match his pace was up, and he also swung the ball. Against New Zealand he was pummelled by McCullum, and when he returned later in the innings could never execute the right plan. Did make for one of the images of the tournament when he shook hands with Elliott after that epic semi-final. GAVE the tournament his all. He was menacing throughout, bowling with terrific pace and on the helpful surfaces there was plenty of bounce for him to exploit too. His spell at Kumar Sangakkara in the quarter-final was one of South Africa’s highlights at the tournament and he was full value for the 17 wickets he took. The tears at Eden Park were indicative of a man who feels he may not get another shot in the competition.
ANOTHER magnificent World Cup, as was the case in India four years ago. Bowls with plenty of aggression and variety and he bamboozled some big name and in-form players – Jayawardene in the quarter-final and Guptill in the semi-final. His enthusiasm was infectious. At 35 he may struggle to make another tournament, but there is a T20 World Cup and a Champions Trophy in the next two years, in which he will again be important for South Africa. A CONTROVERSIAL selection, but didn’t do a lot wrong in the four matches in which he played. Shared an 80-run partnership with De Villiers against the West Indies in which he made 10, and claimed his pals teased him for taking the strike away from the skipper. Did a good job in making 64 against the UAE and who knows how much his tournament might have changed had he caught Elliott. EXCELLENT when given the opportunity after Philander was injured. Picked up early wickets every time he played and combined beautifully with Steyn in the quarter-final. Should have played the semi, because he was better suited to executing the SA bowling plan. Has a bright international future. PLAYED once, bowled so badly that he never played again. A confidence player – how might his tournament have turned out had Amla caught Shikhar Dhawan when the Indian opener was on 53 in the Pool match at the MCG. Dhawan made a century and Parnell went on to concede 85.
DID not play a match.