The Pakistan tour is over and the results were as follows:-
* Tests - 3 played = SA won 3 - 0
* ODI’s - 5 played = SA won 3 - 2
* T20I’s - 2 played = SA won 2 - 1
SA moved up in the ratings as follows:-
* Tests from 4 to 2
* ODI’s from 5 to 3
* T20I’s from 6 to 3
Interesting new Players who played
Tests
In tests the only newby was Hamza. His first innings in the thir test was very good and he showed signs of a promising test career
Of the bowlers the situation was that Olivier was the top bowler in tests and he came very near to setting a 116 years old record in bowling in a 3 series tests (24 wickets
ODI’s
The newby was Rassie van der Dussen. This guy was really special, His batting was superb and his fielding very, very good. Should have been utilized on this level years ago. He played for his provimncial franchise as an opener and may be better utilized as an opener.
T20L’s
The only name to crop up here again was Van der Dussen – he was excellent in all 3 T20’s
There was a string of new players selected. The bowlers were not worth mentioning. But Janneman Malan is. He was very good in the second T29I, but failed in the third one.
Players maintaining High Stanndards
Tests
I would say the following showed their class in games:-
Markram, - 209 runs = 6 innings -
Amla - 241 runs = 6 innings
De Kock - 238 runs = 4 innings
Du Plessis was an interesting one, After a golden duck in test 1 he made a century in test 2 and did not play in test 3
Amongst the bowlers the outstanding players were Rabada, Steyn and Tahir,
Amla;s performance in fielding in the slips was disappointing,
ODI’s
The following players set high standards:
Du Plessis, De Kock
Rabada, Tahir
T20I’s
Miller
Disappointments
Tests
De Bruin
ODI’s
Although Amla scored good runs in two of the ODI’s – there was a serious strike rate problem and the Proteas lost in both the ODI’s concerned . He was poor in fielding.
Steyn was very average in bowling in ODI’s and gave away too many runs in the process,
T20I’s
Not worth discussing .