Ind vs SA, 2nd Test: Player scores (SA) Print E-mail
Category: Player Ratings
Written by Luke Tagg   
Thursday, 18 February 2010 22:58
As bad as India's bowlers were in Nagpur, in Kolkata South Africa's were no better. Although it was a devastating batting collapse that ultimately cost South Africa the second Test, the bowlers were unable to reproduce their prior form.

It wasn't all doom and gloom for South Africa, because... well, OK. It was pretty much all doom and gloom for South Africa.

Only two batsmen impressed, whilst all of the bowlers were rubbish. They weren't helped by four dropped catches and a missed stumping in the match, however, which realised well over 300 runs.

Here's how I rate the South African players' performances in the second Test:

1. Hashim Amla (10/10)

Man of the match, man of the series, man of small words and man of big beard. Man of the moment; a man of our time. A bushy sort of man. A good man.

If Amla's career-best, match-winning 253* in the first Test was his coming of age as a Test batsman, his 114 and 123* in the second was confirmation of his arrival.

A measure of how good his Last Great Stand at Dusk in the second innings was is the fact that the next highest score for South Africa was the Extras column, which itself was almost double the highest score by an actual batsman. As near as dammit.

He faced 1,033 balls for 23 hours and 22 minutes in two Tests, scored 490 runs and was dismissed just once. His only dismissal came as he searched for quick runs to wrest control away from India completely - had he not chased a Zaheer Khan bouncer he'd probably still be batting when the IPL gets underway next month.

They'd have to kick him out: "Oi, Amla! We know you've only scored 17,829 runs so far, but we've got a game starting here in five minutes. They're no longer cheering for you, Hash - Shah Rukh Khan just entered the building."

Sheer brilliance. The best batting performance by any South African batsman on the subcontinent in (my) living memory.

2. Alviro Petersen (8/10)

It doesn't get much better than a century on debut. Put it this way: you can't moan about it.

Petersen looked classy, perfectly at ease and nerveless in his first innings, although the nerves caught up in the second innings and he looked a lot less assured.

Had he not forged that 209-run partnership with Amla, however, South Africa wouldn't have lasted three days.

A good, encouraging debut. Someone raised the point that he looks more like a No. 5 or No. 6 batsman than an opener - that's a whole new can of worms I'm not quite ready for yet.

3. Morne Morkel (5/10)

Morkel's figures of 2/115 in 26 overs are well below par, but I marked him up somewhat for his two resilient performances with the bat, at No. 11.

He scored 11* off 34 balls in the first innings and showed huge heart to bat for 76 minutes in the second, facing 60 balls and falling just short, undone by a bowler simply too good for him.

I thought Paul Harris looked a far bigger bunny with the bat than Morne in both innings he batted, and perhaps Haydos needs to shift higher up the order again.

Ultimately though, his contribution with the ball wasn't good enough, on a pitch that gave assistance to his bounce and seam movement. The four Indian centurions clattered him about with ease.

Once again doubts will be raised over his temperament, or at the very least about his ability in conditions away from home.

4. Wayne Parnell (2/10)

Parnell took 0/103 in India's only innings, bleeding runs at 5.15 to the over. He was too short, too full, too wide, too straight - anything but targeted and consistent.

He got 2/10 from me for his good batting performances, in particular his second innings effort of 22 in 64 balls. He stayed at the creased for the best part of a session batting at No. 10 and considering the immense pressure of the crowd, the spinners, the close-in fielders and the match situation, he acquitted himself admirably.

He got out playing the sort of shot you expect from a No. 10. The sort you hope to never see.

Gotta take wickets though, mate. It's all about the wickets.

5. AB de Villiers (1/10)

He got a point for having the guts to stand in as wicketkeeper for Mark Boucher, but ran himself out in the first innings for 12, made 3 in the second and missed a golden opportunity to stump Virender Sehwag.

Made 68 runs in three innings in the series. I wouldn't call that brilliant. Not even special. In fact, I'd probably fall just shy of describing it as world-class.

6. Ashwell Prince (1/10)

With scores of 1 and 23 you'll be wondering why I bothered to give him a point. It's for that 23 in the second innings, which used up almost an entire session in partnership with AB de Villiers.

He also took the catch that dismissed Sehwag, although it made no difference in the greater scheme of things.

Simply wasn't good enough.

7. Jacques Kallis (1/10)

Scores of 10 and 20 aren't worth the pixels I'm wasting, but he was the most economical South African bowler, taking 0/40 in 12 overs.

Whoop. De-doo.

8. Dale Steyn (0/10)

From 10/108 in Nagpur to 1/115 in Kolkata almost beggars belief, but there you have it.

9. Graeme Smith (0/10)

Once again bowled through the gate by Zaheer Khan in the first innings and was way too flippant in the second.

Clearly had no plan for Paul Harris this time around, although no amount of planning could have accounted for four centurions.

He was let down by his catchers and stumpers, and by his own poor form on tour.

10. JP Duminy (0/10)

Took 1/73 in 15 overs, got a first-ball duck in the first innings and 6 in the second.

It's over, JP. Seriously now. Back to basics in first-class cricket must surely be the way forward for now, to go with a fine headshrink.

Everyone believes in his talent, but you can't suffer the shocking run he has and expect to keep playing. He was badly needed in this series and once again let the side - and his country - down.

11. Paul Harris (0/10)

Seriously? 1/182? In India?

So many questions.

Team Total: 28/110

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