Player ratings: how did the Proteas score?

Following a disappointing 2-1 series loss to England, Neil Manthorp has reviewed the South African players and given his comments.

8 – Marco Jansen – 82 runs @ 27.33, 9 wickets @ 13.11 – Topped the batting and bowling averages and was the only player in the Proteas squad to return with an enhanced reputation. One of the most exciting all-round talents in the world game.

7 – Kagiso Rabada – 48 runs @ 12, 14 wickets @ 23.35 – Led the attack with the usual results which are taken for granted more often than not. Also bowled more no-balls than the rest of attack combined. Gutsy and stylish 36 with the bat at Old Trafford to, briefly, give South Africa some hope with a total of 150 in the first innings.

7 – Anrich Nortje – 45 runs @ 15, 10 wickets @ 24.8 – Consistently the fastest bowler on either team and delivered some of the quickest spells in England for over a decade. But he’s not just about speed. Smart bowler and nuggety with the bat.

6 – Kyle Verreynne – 61 runs @ 15.25, 8 catches, 1 stumping – As solid and reliable as any ‘keeper on their first, major tour of England where the late swing of the Dukes ball and variable bounce makes the job harder than in most other countries. Was left batting with the tail too often to make an impression.

6 – Keshav Maharaj – 79 runs @ 15.8, 4 wickets @ 28.25 – A crucial 41 in the Lord’s win and showed a desire to sell his wicket dearly in hopeless situations in the second and third tests. He is more than just a hitter now. Solid as always with the ball with a couple of timely wickets at Lord’s.

6 – Sarel Erwee – 127 runs @ 25.4 – For context, no opener in seven tests during the English summer averaged more than Erwee. It was a tough season. His 73 at Lord’s was the only half-century of the series for the Proteas but, nonetheless, the team needed more from him.

5 – Dean Elgar – 107 runs @ 21.4 – The South African captain spoke a good game, as he always does, but was the first to admit he failed to deliver with the bat. His decision to bat first at Old Trafford was predetermined in ideal seam bowling conditions, dropping Marco Jansen was a mistake and failing to review his lbw at The Oval started the collapse.

5 – Keegan Petersen – 122 runs @ 24.4 – Bewildering and infuriating ability to get himself ‘in’ virtually every time he goes to the crease, but can’t stay there. Nobody is more frustrated than him. Batted through an entire session in difficult conditions attempting to ‘save’ the Old Trafford test proving, again, his technical skill.

5 – Rassie van der Dussen – 76 runs @ 25.33 – Needs the ‘breakthrough’ innings to confirm he can translate a world-class ODI record into test runs. Bravely batted through the second innings at Old Trafford with a broken finger. Never any doubt about his attitude or commitment.

5 – Lungi Ngidi – 4 runs @ 2, 2 wickets @ 44 – Said before the series that his role was to provide ‘control’. It looked like that meant bowling at less than full pace and, therefore, with less incision. The least effective of the pace bowlers.

4 – Khaya Zondo – 39 runs @ 19.5 – Made a respectable impression in a hopeless situation. Hung around for long enough to display a sound knowledge of his game.

3 – Aiden Markram – 36 runs @ 12 – Awful to think he might not play test cricket again after four hundreds and 1 000+ runs in his first 10 tests. He surely has the skill to return to those early heights if he has the desire. Slip-catching and a few overs of off-spin will always come in handy.

3 – Ryan Rickelton – 19 run @ 9.5 – Briefly displayed a willingness to counter-attack and hit bad balls despite a parlous situation which is better than reverting to block-defense, but it was brief. Can’t be judged on one test when the whole top-order failed.

3 – Wiaan Mulder – 17 runs @ 8.5, 0 wickets – Nicked a wide half-volley in the first innings at The Oval but at least he was trying to score runs at 35-5 after the first hour of the test match.

3 – Simon Harmer– 18 runs @ 9, 1 wicket @ 73 – More than any other bowler, offspinners need runs on the board to be effective. The more runs there are, the more effective they usually are. And vice versa. He had no chance with a first innings total of 150.