Report Card: South Africa

Results summary

Beat Sri Lanka by 96 runs

Lost to Pakistan by 19 runs (DLS Method)
Lost to India by 8 wickets

What went wrong?

With a well-balanced side, packed full of powerful batsmen, electric quicks and the most prolific spinner in ODI cricket, it was easy to see why South Africa was among the favourites to lift the trophy. But, as has so often been the case in major tournaments, the Proteas failed to deliver on the biggest stage. Having easily dispatched Sri Lanka in its opening match, a semi-final berth was there for the taking. However, AB de Villiers’ team came unstuck against Pakistan, losing a rain-affected encounter at Edgbaston, and was then roundly thumped by India in what was effectively a quarter-final, producing a batting performance which Sourav Ganguly described as the worst he’d ever witnessed by a top-class international team. It was the kind of display which gave further ammunition to those who say that when the pressure reaches fever pitch in a world tournament, South Africa goes missing. Its wait to reach the final of an ICC global tournament goes on.

Positives to take home?

In a disappointing overall effort, the bowling attack can be relatively pleased with its work. Imran Tahir and Morne Morkel each took five wickets and boasted miserly economy-rates, while Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada also conceded fewer than five runs per over. In the batting department, Hashim Amla struck a typically classy century, his 25th in ODIs, to anchor the victory over Sri Lanka, and David Miller married power and nous in his unbeaten 75 against Pakistan to take his team to a score of some respectability. Faf du Plessis was consistent throughout without contributing a match-defining score.

Areas for improvement?

South Africa adopted a curiously cautious approach with the bat, scoring sedately in the first powerplay and hoping to inflict some damage as the innings progressed. The plan worked effectively against Sri Lanka but backfired versus Pakistan and India, as wickets fell in quick succession when batsmen tried to force the pace. Quinton de Kock’s strike-rate was 66.87 in this tournament, compared to 93.89 over the rest of his career – a surprising statistic for a batsman who loves to play his shots against the new ball. The disappointing form of de Villiers, who mustered just 20 runs from three innings, also badly affected the team’s chances. With the ball, the fact that Rabada – who came into the tournament at No.1 in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings – picked up only a solitary wicket was similarly surprising. He would have been expected to make greater inroads with the new ball but, like most quicks in the tournament, found there was little swing on offer. His opening partner Wayne Parnell also had a tournament he would rather forget; the left-arm seamer going wicketless and taking some tap.

What next?

South Africa will need to lick its wounds and recover quickly. The Proteas begin a three-match T20I series against England on June 21 and then head into a four-Test series against the same opposition. After suffering a defeat in last month’s ODI series against England, and then a shock group stage exit in this tournament, South Africa will be keen to make amends.

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