The test series between South Africa and New Zealand were about as competitive as the South African cheap airline market. South Africa stormed to two innings victories in the two games to extend their gap at the top of the World Test Rankings, the only form of cricket that really matters. As I have done previously with the Australian Test tour and what will now become a recurring feature on the site, here are the Winners and Losers of the SA vs. NZ test series.
Winners
Faf du Plessis
It almost seems that Faf could be a constant inclusion in this list now. Its hard to believe he has only played four test matches. In those 4 test matches he has scored 445 runs at an average of 111.25. His 137 in the second test was brilliant as he first partnered with # and then with Elgar to lead SA to an intimidating 525. Expect him to be on this list at the end of the Pakistan series too!
Dean Brownlie
In a series of few positives for New Zealand, Brownlie was the outstanding shining light in the series. His ability to bat under extreme pressure in both test saw him score a gutsy century in Cape Town and a quality half-century in Port Elizabeth. He has now played 9 tests for New Zealand and will be a key cog in the rebuilding of the Kiwi’s.
Dean Elgar
Dean started his career in Australia in the worst possible way, a pair. Gary Kirsten was keen to reward him with a second chance and with JP Duminy still out injured there was a gap that needed filling. Of course he once again was uninspiring in the first test, but then came PE. After a nervous start, Dean settled into the role he was playing and started stroking the ball with the type of ease often associated with Ernie Els. His undefeated ton will mean that he will play all 3 tests against Pakistan where he will be expected to take it to the next level!
Jacques Kallis
Although he did not have the individual greatest series with 68 runs in the two innings, but Jacques Henry Kallis is included in this list for one glorious reason which has been spoken about in vast detail elsewhere. Ill simply leave you with it then. 13 000.
Dale Steyn
The Phalaborwa express and the worlds best bowler right now taught the New Zealanders a lesson of note with his pacey bowling. He became the third fastest bowler to 300 test wickets and the fourth South African to pass that milestone. He is now up to 312 after taking 13 in the two matches and sits just 18 behind Allan Donald. The 5 wicket haul he took in the second test was his 19th five-for! Pakistan beware, you have been warned
Losers
Cricket South Africa
Seriously? We have at last gone to number 1 in the world and held it for two consecutive series. We are poised to take the mantle from Australia and be truly dominant. So what does CSA do, they announce that South Africa, the best test team in the world, need more black players. As many as four. Why dont we just leave our national teams alone and focus entirely on the development at a Provincial level. After all, this is probably the most transformed team in South African sport.
JP Duminy
They often say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but when those around you are performing exceptionally well the saying out of sight out of mind springs to mind. For JP, he is being hit by the same phenomenom that he himself inflicted on Ashwell Prince a few years back. Duminy’s replacement Faf is untouchable currently and with Elgar getting a century JP will not necesarrily walk straight back into the national team when fit.
New Zealand Cricket
New Zealand as a country must be thoroughly greatful that their netball and rugby sides are so good, because if they had to rely on the cricket side to convince somebody to not jump off a bridge, they would have zero population left. The union themselves must blame themselves for the shameful way they started the series and the treatement of Ross Taylor, their ex-captain. New Zealand have a long way to go.
Jeetan Patel
Jeetan was incredible in South Africa. Incredible in being poor. He single handedly tried to prove that Tahir was classy with some shocking bowling. His 324 balls produced 1 wicket at an average of 194. That wicket was only because of a poor mishit by AB to the mid-wicket boundary. In 19 tests now he has taken 52 wickets at an average of 50. NZ need to keep searching in the quest to replace Vettori in the long run.
Kane Williamson
After he scored a momentous 102 to save a test match against South Africa in NZ last year, much was expected of Kane Williamson on this tour. What he delivered was a high score of 15 in accumulating a poor 43 runs. The man who was supposed to bolster the NZ top order became someone who looked more like he fitted in with the lower order.
What were the highlights of the tour for you? Let me know on Facebook, twitter or pop me an email to jabu@allthingsjabu.co.za