West Indies vs South Africa T20I Series: Report card for visitors

Jul 06, 2021

West Indies vs South Africa T20I Series: Report card for visitors Image

Unlike the Test series where South Africa were all over West Indies, the five-match T20I series was an intriguing affair. With the series level at 2-2, South Africa rode on half-centuries from Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock to win the decider by 25 runs.

The spin duo of George Linde and Tabraiz Shamsi was a constant threat, while Lungi Ngidi struggled throughout the series. On the batting front, David Miller had a horrid series. Let us take a look at how each of them fared on a scale of 1 to 10.

Quinton de Kock 9.5 (M 5, R 255, SR 145)

After being relieved of by the burden of captaincy, de Kock is back to where he belongs. He was easily the most consistent performer, amassing 255 runs in five games. His partnership with Aiden Markram in the last game proved to be the difference.

Tabraiz Shamsi 9 (M 5, W 7, Econ 4)

Shamsi was the puzzle that the West Indians failed to crack. He posed constant threat, giving away nothing latch upon. Seven wickets at an economy of 4 speak volumes about his efficacy.

George Linde 8.5 (M 5, W 6, Econ 7.81)

While Shamsi was near-unplayable, Linde did well to sustain the pressure at the other end. Temba Bavuma often employed them in tandem. Linde got Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell with consecutive balls to swing the balance of the second game.

Aiden Markram 8 (M 3, R 113, SR 131.39)

Initially overlooked, Markram broke into the XI only after Heinrich Klassen failed to perform in the first two games. He failed to convert two starts before making 70 in 48 in the last game, forging a 128-run partnership with de Kock.

Kagiso Rabada 8 (M 5, W 7. Econ 9.44)

Rabada, while a bit expensive, finished with seven wickets. He got Pooran and Dwayne Bravo with consecutive balls to seal the victory in the last game. He also picked up three wickets in the second game.

Lungi Ngidi 6.5 (M 5, W 5, Econ 10.94)

Ngidi conceded 46 in three overs in the first match. In the second, 49 four. He struggled to hit the right line and length throughout the series, but finished the campaign on a high, picking up three wickets, including Evin Lewis (52) in the decider.

Rassie van der Dussen 6 (M 5, R 97, SR 129.33)

Van der Dussen made 56 in the first game but South Africa went on to lose by eight wickets. He did not do anything substantial in the following games.

Anrich Nortje 6 (M 4, W 4, Econ 7)

Nortje struggled to get going on a surface that was far from conducive for the pacers. He played four matches and picked up as many wickets.

Temba Bavuma 5 (M 5, R 76, SR 108.57)

Apart from the 33-ball 46 in the second T20I, Bavuma struggled with bat. He decided to open the innings in the last game, in order to fit Markram at No. 3. The move worked in their favour, but Bavuma got out for a three-ball duck.

Wiaan Mulder 5 (M 1, W 2, Econ 7.75)

Mulder picked up two wickets in his only game. He got the better of Russell and Kieron Pollard in successive deliveries.

David Miller 3 (M 5, R 55, SR 108.33)

A terrible outing for Miller, where he managed just 55 runs in five games. With the ICC T200 World Cup knocking on the doors, South Africa definitely need some assurance from Miller.

Reeza Hendricks 3 (M 4, R 78, SR 139.28)

The 30-ball 42 in the second match was the only meaningful contribution in the four games for Hendricks. He was dropped for the fifth.

Bjorn Fortuin 2 (M 1, W 0, Econ 11)

Fortuin replaced Nortje for the last game, and conceded 11 runs in his only over.

Heinrich Klassen 2 ( M 2, R 17, SR 73.91)

A disappointing tour for Klassen, where he failed to grab the opportunities. He made 17 in the first two games before falling out of favour.