South Africa slumped to a 2-1 ODI series defeat against India in the third match of the series at Paarl – here are the marks out of ten for the home-side players for the series.
Tony de Zorzi – 8
3 matches, 228 runs at 114.0, SR: 98.70, HS: 119*
De Sorge was playing only his second match in the ODI series but was by far South Africa’s outstanding batsman. He was the home team’s only centurion in the series, scoring 81 for Paarl, followed by 119* for Gukebela. He took up the bat in Game 2 and was instrumental in the deciding hit in the final game of the series.
Reeza Hendricks – 5
3 matches, 71 runs at 23.66, SR: 62.83, HS: 52
After spending most of the World Cup as a backup batsman for South Africa, Hendricks started all three games for Themba Bavuma. His 8-ball duck in the first game caused a dramatic collapse, but he hit back with a half-century Gukebera.
Rassie van der Dussen – 3
3 matches, 38 runs at 12.66, SR: 55.07, HS: 36
Van der Dussen’s highest score of the series was 36 in the second ODI, sandwiched between a duck and a 17-ball two. Along with Hendrix, he was one of the reasons for South Africa’s over-reliance on the middle and lower classes.
Aiden Markram – 5
3 matches, 50 runs at 25.00, SR: 78.12, HS: 36
It was disappointing for Markram, who was series captain at the end of a great year in ODI cricket. However, he was more than useful with the ball, dismissing Axar Patel in the second game and scoring just 19 runs in five overs bowled at Paarl.
Heinrich Klaasen – 3
3 matches, 27 runs at 13.50, SR: 87.09, HS: 21
The fireworks that audiences have come to expect from Klaasen were not seen in this series. In the two innings he had to bat, his strike rate fell short of 100, failing to compensate for South Africa’s problems in the top order.
David Miller – 2
3 matches, 12 runs at 6.00, SR: 44.44, HS: 10
As South Africa collapsed, Miller was tasked with achieving the impossible, firing from behind on both occasions, effectively ending the Proteas’ chances of victory.
Wiaan Mulder – 4
3 matches, 2 wickets at 40.50, ER: 5.40, BBI: 1-26
1 run at 0.50, SR: 25.00, HS: 1
Mulder’s return to the ODI team after over two years was disappointing. He bowled economically but was unable to take the wickets that South Africa needed. To improve his batting order as an all-rounder, he had to bat for two innings, but recorded one run.
Andile Phehlukwayo – 4
1 match, 33 runs at 33.00, SR: 67.34, HS: 33
1 wicket at 15.00, ER: 15.00, BBI: 1-15
Phehlukwayo scored with his bat as South Africa went down in the first game of the series, but was sidelined for the next two games with a strained side.
Nandre Burger – 7
3 matches, 5 wickets at 25.80, ER: 5.22, BBI: 3-30
This series marked an international appearance for N’Andre Burger. With speeds well over 90 miles per hour and five wickets to his name, he became the next South African pacer to make an impact on the world stage. Due to his performance, he also won his IPL contract for 2024 with the Rajasthan Royals.
Keshav Maharaj – 6
3 matches, 3 wickets at 35.66, ER: 4.65, BBI: 2-51
Another consistent series for Maharaj on a surface that offered little to the spinners.
Lizaad Williams – 2
2 matches, 2 wickets at 60.00, ER: 6.31, BBI: 1-49
After the South African pacer was replaced, Williams, who spent the World Cup on the sidelines, returned to the starting lineup. He was the home team’s most expensive seamer and took only two wickets.
Tabraiz Shamsi – 2
1 match, 0 wickets, ER: 7.33
Shamsi only played in the first match of the series and South Africa decided they needed just one spinner in their team.
Beuran Hendricks – 7
2 matches, 5 wickets at 19.40, ER: 5.29, BBI: 3-63
After missing Game 1 of the series, Hendricks closed out the series with two impressive performances with the ball. He dismissed Sanju Samson in his second ODI and took his three wickets in the third.
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