Proteas Test Series Player Ratings v New Zealand

The drawn Test Series between the Blackcaps and the Proteas saw Sarel Erwee announce himself to the world as a Test opener of note, while Kyle Verreynne proved himself as a capable Test batter and a suitable successor to the retired Quinton de Kock. Ongama Gcwabe brings you a Proteas Player rating for the series.

The Proteas completed a 198 runs victory over New Zealand and defended their all-important Test series record over New Zealand. Having suffered whooping innings and 276 runs loss in the first Test, the Proteas pulled off another glittering comeback to level the series one-all.

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Let’s rate our Proteas Players (Only those who played both Tests):

Kagiso Rabada 9/10

Wickets 10, Average 21.90, BBI 5-60, Runs 53

The star of the show is none other than KG Rabada. He once again showed his dominance in the Test arena with a sizzling man-of-the-match performance in the second Test match. Down on pace or not, Rabada remains a match-winner for the Proteas. He gets a 9/10 rating for his going in the series with both bat and ball.

Sarel Erwee 8/10

Runs 126, Average 31.50, HS 108

In only his second Test match, Erwee fought his way to a maiden Test century and became a beacon of hope to all the late bloomers in SA domestic cricket. Having made his First-Class debut in 2008, Erwee had to do the hard yards at domestic cricket and wait for his time to come. Fourteen years later, Erwee brought up a Test century against one of the best bowling attacks in world cricket. His
108 off 221 deliveries earn him an 8/10 rating.

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Kyle Verreynne 8/10

Runs 188, Average 62.66, HS 138* Catches 5

The 24-year old keeper-batter had big shoes to fill after a sudden retirement of Quinton de Kock in the middle of a Test series against the number one team in the world, India. Verreynne’s technique came into question, his ability to stamp his mark in the Test arena was being doubted after five Test matches without a single confident inning, let alone a fifty or a hundred. His unbeaten 138 runs in the second Test put all those questions and doubts to bed as swiftly as they came. His work behind the stumps has been impressive as well.

Marco Jansen 7/10

Wickets 9, Average 28.55, BBI 4-98, Runs 58

Jansen has hit the ground running in Test cricket ever since his debut on Boxing day against India. He continues to impress with his big-match temperament and composure in such a high-intensity environment. The 21-year-old has shown his ability to take big wickets at crucial periods of the
game.

Temba Bavuma 4/10

Runs 100, Average 25, HS 41

It is difficult to rate a batter-like Bavuma because of the role he plays in the Proteas batting order. He might only have one century but the seventeen fifties in his name have come in handy and played a huge part in the success of the Test team. But this series he has been disappointing as he struggled
to carry the team on his shoulders in times of need. The manner of some of his dismissals and the dropped catches earn him a 4/10 rating.

Rassie van der Dussen 4/10

Runs 97, Average 24.25, HS 45

Rassie is known as a fighter but he struggled in challenging conditions against a quality New Zealand attack. His 45 in the second Test saved the Proteas and gave Verreynne room to come in and play his natural game. His efforts with the bat and the catches he dropped during the series get him a 4/10 rating.

Dean Elgar 5/10

Runs 55, Average 13.75, HS 41

The captain gets a higher rating than Bavuma and Rassie even though he produced similar results with the bat. His leadership on and off the field was crucial to South Africa making a comeback in this series. It all started with getting the guys mentally ready after a big loss. Then he followed it up with an audacious decision to bat first on a pitch that saw them lose 20 wickets for 206 runs. These decisions were important in setting up the way the Proteas leveled the series.

Aiden Markram 2/10

Runs 73, Average 18.25, HS 42

Markram’s struggles continued in this series. His 42 in the first innings of the second Test painted a vivid picture of his extraordinary talent but at the same time, that knock revealed his downfall in Test cricket. Now that Erwee has taken the opening spot, Markram was moved to bat at three which then makes it obvious that he might be dropped for the Test series against Bangladesh as Keegan Petersen is expected to make a return to the Test squad.