ESPNcricinfo rates the South Africa performance from the Test series against West Indies
Firdose Moonda07-Jan-20159
Hashim Amla (342 runs at 114.00, 1 hundred, 1 fifty)
The captain continued to blossom under the additional responsibility and was the highest run-scorer overall in the series. Amla’s double hundred came in his first match leading at home and formed the spine of South Africa’s win, while his fifty in Cape Town was important in asserting authority over an improving West Indies. He was an inspirational leader and managed his troops well, particularly when it came to making bowling changes or asking for additional spells and he did not allow minds to grow restless during lengthy rain delays.AB de Villiers (310 runs at 103.33, 2 hundreds)
Lauded as one of the best batsmen in the world, de Villiers thrilled with contrasting centuries – a creative knock in Centurion to help Amla build a tower of a total, and a grinding hundred in Cape Town to give South Africa the first-innings lead that ultimately won them the match. De Villiers is capable of capitalising on a start or rebuilding following a spot of trouble. He can bat with either the top or lower order and handled all bowlers with characteristic class in the series. He also had to pick up the wicketkeeping duties following an injury to Quinton de Kock and, bar one dropped catch, was impeccable behind the stumps.Morne Morkel (13 wickets at 20.61)
Often overlooked for accolades despite being South Africa’s most fearsome bowler at times, Morkel got the recognition he deserved by finishing as the most successful bowler of the series. He consistently threatened the batsmen with the short ball, hit a few of them and bowled spells laced with danger. He reached speeds in the mid-140s, was disciplined with his lines and led the attack for a change.8Dean Elgar (217 runs at 72.33, 1 hundred, 1 fifty; 1 wicket at 31)
Dubbed the senior opener because of Alviro Petersen’s lull in form, Elgar accepted the responsibility well. He scored a patient century in Port Elizabeth and negotiated a tricky final morning in Cape Town to script the series victory. Ever eager to turn his arm over, he also pitched in when required as a spare bowler and was effervescent in the field. He took the catch that dismissed Marlon Samuels in Cape Town and ultimately caused West Indies to fold.Dale Steyn (13 wickets at 22.15; 58 runs, 1 fifty)
A morning of fury in Centurion which demolished West Indies in 80 minutes and a vein-popping blitz through them in Cape Town made up for Steyn’s lulls at other times in the series. He was occasionally down on pace but never short on intent or aggression and finished as the joint leading wicket-taker. Steyn overtook Makhaya Ntini as South Africa’s second-highest all-time Test wicket-taker and has his eye on the 400 mark and Shaun Pollock’s record in the future. Steyn also scored the second-fastest Test fifty by a South African batsman, during his 28-ball 58 in Port Elizabeth.7Faf du Plessis (185 runs at 46.25, 1 hundred, 1 fifty)
Irritated with himself after a duck in Centurion, du Plessis returned to his sage-like self in Port Elizabeth with a slow-burn century that set South Africa up well. He also scored an important 68 in the first innings in Cape Town to keep a fired up West Indian attack at bay and has established himself in the spot at one-drop.Stiaan van Zyl (163 runs at 81.50, 1 hundred; 1 wicket at 41)
All the hype surrounding last season’s top run-scorer in the first-class competition was justified when he became just the fifth South African to record a century on Test debut. He had a decent platform to build on in the first Test and the best mentors in AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla at the other end, and he showed class and control in his breakthrough knock. He looks ready to succeed Alviro Petersen in the opener’s spot.Simon Harmer (7 wickets at 21.85)
After topping the wicket-takers list in the 2012-13 season in domestic cricket, Harmer thought his chance would come earlier than it eventually did. He had to wait while South Africa rotated through Robin Peterson, Imran Tahir and Dane Piedt. When given the opportunity he took it with a controlled and incisive showing on the ground best suited to turn in the country. Harmer was impressive in Cape Town where he played to team tactics, switching between holding and aggressive roles, and played an important role in limiting South Africa’s eventual run chase.6Vernon Philander (6 wickets at 29.33)
Nicknamed the King of Newlands for his ability to take wickets on home turf, Philander went without reward in Cape Town and had limited success everywhere else. He continued to ask questions with a probing line outside off and a hint of seam movement, but batsmen seemed to have better answers. He also did not hold up the lower-order as he may have liked.5 Alviro Petersen (86 runs at 21.50)
The under-fire opener hoped this would be the series that offered his career a lifeline. Instead it was the one that ended it. His run of innings without centuries extended to 27, although he looked set to change that in three of his four knocks. Petersen got himself in and then out with bizarre shot selection and lapses in concentration. After a duck in the second innings at Newlands, he announced his retirement.4 Temba Bavuma (25 runs at 12.50)
South Africa’s first-ever black African batsman had the expectations of a nation on him and although he was not as successful as other debutants have been, he showed promise. He got starts in both innings with a confident approach at the crease and batted for almost an hour on each occasion, but succumbed to decent deliveries. He will be one to watch out in the future but may need more time in the domestic game to be ready for the step up.Imran Tahir (3 wickets at 36)
Recalled for a fourth time in his career after an injury to Robin Peterson, Tahir’s menu had hardly changed as he served up his usual mix of full tosses and seemingly limitless variations. He struggled to hold his end, but had some success in the latter parts of his performance when he got into the tail. Nonetheless, he was dropped for the final match.Kyle Abbott (1 wicket at 61)
Another one-off appearance as part of an all-pace attack made it difficult for Abbott to make a strong case for himself. While he achieves considerable bounce and some swing, he was the least threatening of the pace pack in his only appearance in Centurion and probably needs a more sustained run to show what he is really capable of.
