South Africa finally reached their first men’s World Cup final after seven semifinal defeats over the course of 32-years.
Neil Manthorp reflects back on the 2024 T20 World Cup and rates the players who featured during the campaign which ended in a nail-biting, seven-run defeat to India.
Quinton de Kock (8) – Struggled to get going on the drop-in pitches in New York but 74 (40 balls) and 65 (38 balls) against the USA and England promised match-winning performances at the back end of the tournament.
His 39 (21) in the final against India was his most determined and passionate innings in recent years.
He appeared so determined to retire from international cricket on a high. Perhaps it’s the reason he has delayed the decision…
Reeza Hendricks (5) – Wretched tournament for one of the most popular players in the squad. Even when he did score some runs, his 43 against Nepal came from 49 balls.
An unbeaten 29 against Afghanistan in the semifinal might have turned things around but, when you’re struggling, you naturally receive the ‘ball of the tournament’ from the best bowler in the world, Jasprit Bumrah.
Aiden Markram (6) – Horrible tournament with the bat but brilliant as captain. Scored 46 from 32 balls against the USA and 23* freebie runs against Afghanistan in the semi.
Enjoyed a better tournament as a bowler than batsman but his tactical acumen, which is much harder to measure, led to highly unlikely victories against Bangladesh, Nepal and England. Defeat in any might have led to an early exit.
Tristan Stubbs (6) – A mixed bag. Runs in almost every innings but…33 from 27 against Netherlands did much to avert disaster but ended with an ill-timed, aerial drive.
A similar shot on 29 against the West Indies might easily have been fatal for the team, but wasn’t.
His audacious, bowled behind the legs sweep-shot has been seldom mentioned in the aftermath of the final. He may be relieved by that.
Heinrich Klaasen (7) – A calm, patient 19* against Sri Lanka in New York confirmed he was in the right, selfless frame of mind.
The 46 (44 balls) against Bangladesh reaffirmed it and 36 from 22 balls against the USA suggested he was casting off the shackles applied by some nasty pitches.
His 52 from 27 balls in the final was comfortably amongst the most dynamic in the tournament’s history of finals.
The edge against a wide, harmless delivery from Hardik Pandya, with the game in his grasp, will stay with him for a while.
David Miller (8) – South Africa were 12-4 against the Netherlands in New York. A third consecutive humiliation loomed.
His 59* from 51 balls won’t be remembered amongst his many, match-winning innings but it was a Herculean effort.
Another 43 (28) helped the team to beat England but he was left with too much to do in the final, in the company of tail-enders, against India and Jasprit Bumrah.
Marco Jansen (6) – It’s not Jansen’s fault he’s batting one place too high but his calm composure against the West Indies, with a straight six to win the match with panic swarming, showed he can still grow into the role.
He may never develop into a ‘tight’ bowler with the new ball because early, Power Play wickets are his currency. Afghanistan were blown away partly by his 3-16. A learning tournament this time.
Keshav Maharaj (8) – Any spinner who can defend 11 runs in the final over with a wide and three full-tosses is either lucky or a genius.
Maharaj may be the genius who got lucky against Bangladesh, or maybe he created his own luck with two early wickets in his 3-27.
Consistent and reliable as always, his 2-23 from three overs in the final against India was exemplary. Could he have bowled a fourth?
Kagiso Rabada (8) – Tournament figures often misrepresent a players’ contribution to winning matches.
Bangladesh needed 20 runs from 18 balls with two set batsmen.
Rabada dismissed the top-scorer and conceded just two runs from the 18th over. Match winner.
3-18 against USA and 2-32 against England also went a long way to winning those games.
As did his cover-driven four against the West Indies from the final delivery of the penultimate over did so much to win that game.
If only his batting had developed to match its potential over the years.
Anrich Nortje (8) – After a torrid IPL in which he conceded over 13.5 run per over, Nortje delighted in the spicy, unpredictable pitches in New York.
He claimed 4-7 against Sri Lanka in the first game and never looked back.
Confidence is a fickle thing, but his surged back and, but for his 2-26 in the final, India might have surged to an insurmountable total.
Tabraiz Shamsi (8) – Frustrated but acquiescent about his services being unrequired (unneeded) in New York, Shamsi responded with 4-19 against Nepal (preventing certain defeat) and 3-27 against the West Indies.
Another 3-6 against Afghanistan’s tail were a welcome bonus.
Not just a fine cricketer, but a ‘real’ personality with a natural affinity with those who follow the national team.
Ottneil Baartman (7) – Sensational in admittedly extremely helpful conditions in New York, Baartman did everything he could to enhance his reputation and display his skills.
His 4-11 against the Netherlands was boosted by two ‘cheap’ wickets in the final over but a well-deserved return, nonetheless.
Honourable Mentions: Ryan Rickelton, Bjorn Fortuin, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger: The first three were part of the official squad, the last two travelling reserves.
Their commitment to being ‘ready’ at a moment’s notice was conspicuously obvious.
Not that ‘holidaying’ in New York would have been acceptable, but ‘full intensity’ at training, with playing opportunities diminishing, was admirable.
