Ntini carries South Africa as batting fails again
South Africa's marks out of ten following their 3-0 defeat to Australia
Peter English
04-Apr-2006
In a series for bowlers Makhaya Ntini carried his side in stunning and painful fashion despite the 3-0 result. Ntini needed greater returns from batsmen worn down by regular losses to the Test No. 1 and refused to back down as South Africa gave up a seemingly perfect position at Johannesburg to end a disappointing campaign.
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Makhaya Ntini
A constant threat both as a wicket-taker and potential bruiser. Justin Langer (head) and Andrew Symonds (lip) can vouch for his potency while he compiled a list of 19 wickets at 22.36 with probing lines and a never-give-up attitude. Without him South Africa would have been pummelled and his best performance was the 6 for 100 and 4 for 78 at Johannesburg, his third 10-wicket haul in Tests. Was given out incorrectly to end the second match that signalled the series loss.
A constant threat both as a wicket-taker and potential bruiser. Justin Langer (head) and Andrew Symonds (lip) can vouch for his potency while he compiled a list of 19 wickets at 22.36 with probing lines and a never-give-up attitude. Without him South Africa would have been pummelled and his best performance was the 6 for 100 and 4 for 78 at Johannesburg, his third 10-wicket haul in Tests. Was given out incorrectly to end the second match that signalled the series loss.
7
Mark Boucher
Comfortably out-batted Adam Gilchrist, who shaded his opponent in the battle of the gloves. Two fantastic half-centuries showed his love of a contest against Australia; the first almost sealed a draw at Durban and the second pushed them to the brink of a win at Johannesburg. Talked about losing respect for some of the Australians before the series, but gained plenty of kudos for his 175 runs at 35 and 11 catches.
Mark Boucher
Comfortably out-batted Adam Gilchrist, who shaded his opponent in the battle of the gloves. Two fantastic half-centuries showed his love of a contest against Australia; the first almost sealed a draw at Durban and the second pushed them to the brink of a win at Johannesburg. Talked about losing respect for some of the Australians before the series, but gained plenty of kudos for his 175 runs at 35 and 11 catches.
6.5
Jacques Kallis
The stand-in captain for the gut-wrenching third Test, Kallis was the lead South African batsman in a bowler-dominated contest. His fighting 114 out of 267 at Durban was admirable and he made other useful contributions against a testing attack to grab 227 runs at 37.83. Also collected seven wickets, but could not steer his temporary side to an almost certain victory
Jacques Kallis
The stand-in captain for the gut-wrenching third Test, Kallis was the lead South African batsman in a bowler-dominated contest. His fighting 114 out of 267 at Durban was admirable and he made other useful contributions against a testing attack to grab 227 runs at 37.83. Also collected seven wickets, but could not steer his temporary side to an almost certain victory
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Nicky Boje
Australia tried to target him but he coped despite being used strangely by Graeme Smith in the first two games. Seven wickets was a suitable reward for a bowler who offered the attack some variety and he made an important 43 in the first innings at Johannesburg.
Ashwell Prince
Fought for every run but passed fifty only once with a fantastic 93 in a tough first innings at Johannesburg when the second top score was 43. Was again troubled by Shane Warne and received a bad decision in the second innings of the final Test, but the team wanted greater returns than his 17, 27, 33 and 7 in the first two games.
Fought for every run but passed fifty only once with a fantastic 93 in a tough first innings at Johannesburg when the second top score was 43. Was again troubled by Shane Warne and received a bad decision in the second innings of the final Test, but the team wanted greater returns than his 17, 27, 33 and 7 in the first two games.
4.5
AB de Villiers
One good Test at Durban was sandwiched by two poor ones as he had more trouble coping with Australia's fast bowlers. His 50 and 46 was a fine double in the second Test but he needed to turn one of those into a century. Will look forward to easier series where he can show his undoubted talent.
One good Test at Durban was sandwiched by two poor ones as he had more trouble coping with Australia's fast bowlers. His 50 and 46 was a fine double in the second Test but he needed to turn one of those into a century. Will look forward to easier series where he can show his undoubted talent.
4
Andre Nel
Became most involved during an argument with Gilchrist in the second Test as he was being hit for 22 in an over. Came into the series with a foot injury and by the final match was delivering in the 120kph range and suffering from an illness that restricted him to two overs in the second innings. Only six victims in a disappointing series.
Andre Nel
Became most involved during an argument with Gilchrist in the second Test as he was being hit for 22 in an over. Came into the series with a foot injury and by the final match was delivering in the 120kph range and suffering from an illness that restricted him to two overs in the second innings. Only six victims in a disappointing series.
Jacques Rudolph
Nothing exceptional in six innings for 125 runs ranging from a duck at Johannesburg to 41 at Cape Town. The peak of his summer was the century at Perth in the first Test against Australia this summer and hasn't neared it since.
Nothing exceptional in six innings for 125 runs ranging from a duck at Johannesburg to 41 at Cape Town. The peak of his summer was the century at Perth in the first Test against Australia this summer and hasn't neared it since.
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Shaun Pollock
Missed the first Test with a back injury and was relegated from opener to first-change by the third. Tried a new run-up but was not overly effective as he managed only four wickets on pitches expected to suit him.
Graeme Smith
Another series to forget against Australia and he must have been almost relieved to miss the final game with a finger injury. Scored only 75 runs in four innings - he didn't get a half-century in five Tests - and lost the series with a whimper.
Another series to forget against Australia and he must have been almost relieved to miss the final game with a finger injury. Scored only 75 runs in four innings - he didn't get a half-century in five Tests - and lost the series with a whimper.
Herschelle Gibbs
Has severe technical problems to fix after being bowled four times in the series, including a horrible no-shot offering in the first innings at Johannesburg. His 53 in the second attempt there was the most dominant batting performance of the game, but again his side needed more from such a talented player.
Has severe technical problems to fix after being bowled four times in the series, including a horrible no-shot offering in the first innings at Johannesburg. His 53 in the second attempt there was the most dominant batting performance of the game, but again his side needed more from such a talented player.
1.5
Boeta Dippenaar
Came in for Smith for the final Test and made a bright 32 and 20. May get another chance soon if the captain's injury is a long-term one.
Came in for Smith for the final Test and made a bright 32 and 20. May get another chance soon if the captain's injury is a long-term one.
Andrew Hall
Played in only the first Test and picked up 1 for 66 and 0 for 16 before being replaced by Pollock.
Played in only the first Test and picked up 1 for 66 and 0 for 16 before being replaced by Pollock.
Peter English is the Australasian editor of Cricinfo