South Africa regain spark too late

South Africa had a stable side in Australia and didn't change for the first two Tests in Johannesburg and Durban but after losing the series the selectors made some tough calls that gave a strong hint about their preferences for the future. Cricinfo runs the rule over the 14 players they fielded during the series.

9
AB de Villiers
South Africa's leading run scorer for the series with 357 at 89.25. Importantly he made contributions in all three matches, beginning with an against-the-tide 104 in Johannesburg and finishing with a magnificent 163 that helped set up the victory in Cape Town. Is reluctant to take over the wicketkeeping duties in future because he wants to focus on becoming the world's No. 1 batsman and made some strong steps forward during the series.

8
Dale Steyn
Along with Mitchell Johnson, the equal top wicket-taker for the series with 16 at 29.62. But disappointingly Steyn's best performance came in the dead rubber and when the series was there to be won in the first two Tests he lacked the zip and spark that had been so evident in Australia. Still put together some terrific spells and his bouncer barrage at Phillip Hughes in Johannesburg was one of the enduring memories of the trip.

Jacques Kallis
Had a strange series in that for most of it he appeared to be out of touch yet still posted 289 runs at 57.80 and was behind only Hughes and de Villiers on the tally. Found his best form in Cape Town, where he scored his first Test century in 11 months, and captained South Africa to an innings victory. Also became the first South African to reach 10,000 Test runs and proved that he is still a force at the highest level.

Ashwell Prince
Was cruelly overlooked for the first two Tests despite being the vice-captain and having scored a century in his previous Test innings. When he returned for the dead rubber at Newlands it was in the unfamiliar opening role but he put the disappointment behind him to score a fluent 150 that set up the victory and left the selectors wondering what might have been had he played in Johannesburg and Durban.

7.5
Paul Harris
His major contribution, a nine-wicket match haul, came in the dead rubber but it was enough to earn him Man-of-the-Match honours. Despite being on the wrong end of some heavy treatment in Johannesburg, he was a constant threat throughout the series and underlined that he has become an important member of the South African attack.

6.5
Makhaya Ntini
Arguably the most consistent of South Africa's bowlers in that he was rarely dominated by the batsmen. However, he also failed to take any big match-changing hauls. He is certainly coming towards the end of a superb career but can still be a threat in short, sharp spells, if not the strike weapon that he once was having now lost a yard of speed.

5.5
Hashim Amla
At his best a joy to watch but is developing a frustrating habit of failing to go on with his positive starts. His list of scores for this series read 1, 57, 0, 43, 46 and on the tour of Australia he was similarly unable to move past the 50 region. Is being viewed as South Africa's long-term No. 3 but must soon take the next step and begin to post some big centuries.

JP Duminy
Fell back down to earth after his phenomenal tour of Australia. Ricky Ponting's men felt he was susceptible to quick bouncers and it proved a good ploy. Duminy lost confidence when pelted with short stuff and twice was caught gloving bouncers behind. His best performance was an unbeaten 73 in Durban, which was a terrific effort as only one of his team-mates reached double figures in that innings.

Albie Morkel
Came in only for the third Test and his major impact was with the bat, when he struck an entertaining 58. Also picked up the important wicket of Ponting in the first innings but has some work to do to prove himself as a Test bowler.

5
Graeme Smith
Apart from a solid 69 in the second innings in Johannesburg it was a series to forget for Smith. It began with a duck at the Wanderers and finished for him with a broken hand in Durban courtesy of a rising delivery from Mitchell Johnson. It was quite a turnaround from his strong tour of Australia and it's a series he will be keen to put behind him as soon as possible.

Mark Boucher
Was as reliable as ever behind the stumps but with the bat he had no impact whatsoever. A series tally of 62 runs was not enough from the man who South Africa rely on to shepherd their lower order.

4
Neil McKenzie
Had his Test career almost certainly terminated for good when he was axed after the Durban loss. Wasn't in terrific form but in three of his four innings had made solid starts and reached the 30s. Will find it very difficult to fight back into the team.

3
Morne Morkel
Was wayward with the ball and thoughtless with the bat. Picked up six wickets in the first two Tests but was terribly inconsistent and leaked a few too many runs, which lost him his place for the dead rubber in Cape Town. Threw his wicket away with reckless pulls in both innings in Johannesburg, which was exactly the opposite of the kind of batting required given the match situations.

Imraan Khan
Came in as McKenzie's replacement and played a couple of good shots before he was out for 20 in his only Test innings. Hard to judge whether he can become a regular Test player in the future but will almost certainly be the man to miss out when Smith returns.