South Africa in the World Cup pool stages... the good, the bad and the ugly

TOP RUN SCORERS AB de Villiers (Matches 6) Runs: 417. Ave: 83.40. Strike rate: 1x100, 2x50. Best: 162* Hashim Amla (6) Runs: 307. Ave: 51.16. 1x100, 1x50. Best: 159 Faf du Plessis (5) Runs: 277. Ave: 55.40. 1x100, 2x50. Best: 109

TOP WICKET-TAKERS

144.29.

Strike rate:

Strike rate:

98.08.

89.06. Morné Morkel (6) Wickets: 13. Ave: 16.38. Economy rate: 4.08. Best: 3/34 Imran Tahir Wickets: 11. Ave: 23.36. Economy rate: 4.35. Best: 5/45 Dale Steyn (6) Wickets: 9. Ave: Best: 3/30

28.00. Economy rate:

4.75.

BEST THREE PERFORMERS IN POOL STAGE AB de Villiers Has led from the front. No match is lost if he’s there, and while it does look at times as if he could win this World Cup for SA by himself, he’s right, he is going to need help. Morné Morkel Is quietly having a magnificent tournament. Often maligned, he is bowling with fire and magnificent rhythm. There have been times when De Villiers must have been tempted to keep him going. Thankfully, breaking up his spell hasn’t messed with his rhythm. May it continue in the knockout phase. Rilee Rossouw Was perhaps fortunate to get picked in the squad and then got into the starting team on account of an injury to JP Duminy. However he’s taken his chance superbly. His timing the ball beautifully and also hits it with immense power. Do they dare drop him for the quarterfinal?

BIGGEST UNDER-ACHIEVERS IN POOL STAGE Quinton de Kock He’s averaging 8.83. Never looks settled at the crease and worse of all, because his confidence is lacking, he is endangering his teammates. Looks like he’ll hold on to his place for the quarter-final but only because De Villiers doesn’t want to keep. Hashim Amla Still looks his usually composed self, but this is a World Cup and he must be feeling the strain of his opening partner’s continuing failure. His wicket is vital to South Africa whether setting a total or chasing, and he needs to be batting a minimum of 30 overs. Dale Steyn Has had one really good showing so far, against Pakistan, but other than that you wouldn’t have him among the top five fast bowlers at the tournament. Steyn is yet to ignite the World Cup and desperately needs to find his “mojo”.

BEST MATCH vs West Indies As close to a complete performance as South Africa have had. Efficient batting by Amla and Du Plessis, allowed Rossouw and most memorably De Villiers to make merry. Then led by a fine opening burst from Abbott, they charged through the West Indies, with Tahir picking up five.

WORST MATCH vs Pakistan Dreadful chase. While the bowling for the most part was good, in a match of that nature, the fifth bowler – comprising De Villiers and Duminy – conceding 77 from nine overs was too much. However, 232 was very achievable had they maintained their composure. They didn’t. In fact a lot of the batting was brainless, which does not bode well for the KO phase.

– Stuart Hess