Proteas’ journey to the 2023-25 WTC: key player performances

Independent Newspapers Ongama Gcwabe takes a deep dive into the Proteas Test players' returns on their journey to the final.

9 - Temba Bavuma - M:7; INN:11; Runs:609; Highscore:113; Average:60.9; 100s:2; 50s:4

Looking at everything that Bavuma had gone through this cycle including two series-endings injuries, he just was not supposed to sit at the top of my ratings.

However, through sheer determination and will to lead the country, the 34-year-old has defied all the odds and went on to become the first Proteas captain to lead South Africa to the WTC final.

This cycle, Bavuma has brought up two centuries, one in Durban and another in Cape Town, as he moved up to the top ten in the ICC Test Batting rankings.

5 - Aiden Markram - M:10; INN:18; R:572; HS:106; AVE:33.64; 100s:1; 50s:3;

Markram started the cycle brilliantly, scoring a century at Newlands on a pitch that was very difficult to bat and against a very strong India pace attack. From there on in, the opening batter has not kicked on throughout the cycle.

However, the 30-year-old did chip in with valuable half-centuries at the top of the order as he formed a really good pair with De Zorzi at the top of the order.

5 - Tony de Zorzi - M:9; INN:16; R:486; HS:177; AVE:30.37; 100s:1; 50s:1;

This cycle, De Zorzi has proved to be just the Test opener that the Proteas having been searching for over the last few years.

His 177 in the spin-friendly wickets in Bangladesh revealed the appetite that he has for runs and spending time in the middle when the team needs him.

Though he did not have a fruitful home summer during the Sri Lanka and Pakistan tours, De Zorzi certainly solidified his place in the Proteas Test side.

7 - Tristan Stubbs
 - M:9; INN:16; R:500;HS:122;AVE:33.33; 100s2; 50s:1;

To finish the top order, Stubbs had to deliver some big performances with the bat this cycle and boy did he deliver both home and away. The 24-year-old scored a century in the subcontinent in Bangladesh and here at home as he started to show his true potential in the longest format of the game.

5 - David Bedingham - M:12; INN:21; R:645; HS:110; AVE:33.94; 100s:1; 50s:3

When the main Proteas players couldn't tour New Zealand last year, Bedingham was the only one in the main squad that was able to travel. His century in New Zealand, in swinging and seaming conditions, gave the world a glimpse of his potential. From that tour, the right-handed batter hasn't had the best of returns. However, going into the final at Lord's where he bats every season for Durham, he will be key for the Proteas.

8 - Kyle Verreynne - M:10;INN:14;R:488;HS:114;AVE:37.53;100s3:;50s:1;

Average aside, Verreynne and Bavuma have been the most consistent batters in the Proteas batting unit. Three centuries in one cycle shows the pedigree of the player. The 27-year-old had a fantastic cycle with the bat and behind the stumps as well.

8 - Ryan Rickelton - M:6; INN:9; R:451; HS:259; AVE:56.37; 100s:2; 50s:0;

In and out of the playing XI, Rickelton has made full use of the very limited opportunities that he has received this cycle. His two centuries this cycle, including the 259 he scored at Newlands this week, have given South Africa options for the top-order going to Lord's.

7- Wiaan Mulder

Batting - M:6; INN:8; R:263; HS:105*; AVE:52.60; 100s:1; 50s:1;

Bowling - M:6; W:11; AVE:24; FI:0; BBI:4/32;

This cycle, Mulder has finally shaped up to be the batting all-rounder that South Africa always knew he had the capability to become. With ball in hand, the 26-year-old has shown real skill and wicket-taking ability while his century in Bangladesh reminded the world of his talent with the bat.

Marco Jansen

Batting - M:6; INN:9; R:200; HS:84; AVE:28.57; 100s:0; 50s:2;

Bowling - M:6; W:29; AVE:20.82; FI:2; BBI:7/13;

Having been rested for 12 weeks, missing two important away series, Jansen has come back into the side and excelled especially in his first Test back in Durban where he took seven wickets in one innings. The all-rounder backed his performance during the Sri Lanka series with a player of the series performance in the recently concluded Pakistan series as he continued to show good form in whites.

Keshav Maharaj - M:8;W:40;AVE:20.57;FI:2;BBI:5/59;

South Africa's most prolific spinner, Maharaj, had yet another fantastic cycle as the first-choice spinner and strike bowler in the side. Two five-wicket hauls, a tally of 40 wickets, all at an average of 20, make Maharaj one of the world's best spinners at the moment.

Kagiso Rabada - M:10;W:47;AVE:19.97;FI:3;BBI:6/46;

Rabada has yet again carried the proteas bowling attack on his shoulders with another excellent WTC campaign with the ball. His player of the series performances in Bangladesh stood out as South Africa went on to win that series 2-0. His performances here at home this summer have been key to the side qualifying for the final.

Dane Paterson - M:5; W:21; AVE:23.33; FI:2; BBI:5/61;

Paterson is one of the many players that have come into the side and performed straight away. His player-of-the-match performance in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha was the highlight of the season. The fact that the 35-year-old backed up that performance with another five-for in the very next Test at Centurion proved that the seamer has a lot to offer the Test side. he has taken 21 wickets at an average of 23 this cycle.