The South African cricket team, nicknamed Proteas, is unarguably one of the top teams in world cricket. In limited overs cricket, South Africa has given some great batters like AB de Villiers, and Hashim Amla along with great bowlers like Donald, Tahir, and Pollock. However, sometimes even the best knocks cannot take them over the line, especially in crunch situations. So, in this article, we will discuss 'Best Knocks in Losing Cause by South African Batters in ODI Matches.’
1. Temba Bavuma
Temba Bavuma is one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against West Indies in a bilateral series in 2023, batting in 2nd innings, South Africa piled up 287 runs on a road of a pitch with Temba Bavuma smacking a century. Chasing 336 runs, with the score reading 123-2, Bavuma stitched together a 61-run stand with Tony de Zorzi. In his 118-ball knock, he smashed 11 boundaries and seven gigantic sixes, scoring 144 runs. However, a collapse ensured South Africa failed to win this game.
2. AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers, nicknamed Mr. 360, was one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting in the middle order. In a game against India in a bilateral series in 2015, batting in 2nd innings, South Africa piled up 264 runs on a tricky pitch with AB de Villiers smacking a century. Chasing 300 runs, with the score reading 88-4, AB de Villiers stitched together a 56-run stand with Farhaan Behardien. In his 107-ball knock, he smashed ten boundaries and two gigantic sixes, scoring 112 runs. However, his knock was not enough to take them over the line.
3. David Miller
David Miller, nicknamed Killer Miller, is one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting in the middle order. In a game against Australia in the 2023 World Cup, batting in 1st innings, South Africa piled up 212 runs on a tricky pitch with David Miller smacking a century. Batting first, with the score reading 24-4, Miller stitched together a 95-run stand with Heinrich Klaasen. In his 116-ball knock, he smashed eight boundaries and five gigantic sixes, scoring 101 runs. However, Australia chased down the total in 2nd innings.
4. Quinton de Kock
Quinton de Kock was one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy wicket keeping skills. In a game against England in a bilateral series in 2016, batting in 2nd innings, South Africa piled up 250 runs on a road of a pitch with Quinton de Kock smacking a century. Chasing 290 runs, with the score reading 11-1, Quinton de Kock stitched together a 110-run stand with Faf du Plessis. In his 96-ball knock, he smashed 12 boundaries and six gigantic sixes, scoring 138 runs. However, his knock was not enough to take them over the line.
5. Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis was one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against Australia in a tri series in 2014, batting in 2nd innings, South Africa piled up 220 runs on a tricky pitch with Faf du Plessis smacking a century. Chasing 283 runs, with the score reading 101-5, Plessis stitched together a 73-run stand with Ryan McLaren. In his 109-ball knock, he smashed eight boundaries and six gigantic sixes, scoring 126 runs. However, his knock was not enough to take them over the line.
6. Herschelle Gibbs
Herschelle Gibbs was one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup, batting in 1st innings, South Africa piled up 306 runs on a road of a pitch with Herschelle Gibbs smacking a century. Batting in 1st innings, with the score reading 60-1, Gibbs stitched together a 66-run stand with Nicky Boje. In his 141-ball knock, he smashed 19 boundaries and three gigantic sixes, scoring 143 runs. However, New Zealand chased down the total in 2nd innings.
7. Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith was unarguably one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against England in the 2009 Champions Trophy, batting in 2nd innings, South Africa piled up 302 runs on a road of a pitch with Graeme Smith smacking a century. Chasing 324 runs, with the score reading 64-2, Smith stitched together a 78-run stand with AB de Villiers. In his 134-ball knock, he smashed 16 boundaries, scoring 141 runs. However, his knock was not enough to take them over the line.
8. Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla was unarguably one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against Sri Lanka in a bilateral series in 2014, batting in 2nd innings, South Africa piled up just 180 runs on a tricky pitch with Hashim Amla smacking a century. Chasing 268 runs, with the score reading 26-2, Amla stitched together a 75-run stand with AB de Villiers. In his 102-ball knock, he smashed 11 boundaries, scoring 101 runs. However, his knock was not enough to take them over the line.
9. Gary Kirsten
Gary Kirsten was one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against India in a bilateral series in 2000, batting in 1st innings, South Africa piled up just 301 runs on a road of a pitch with Gary Kirsten smacking a century. Batting in 1st innings, Kirsten stitched together a 235-run stand with Herschelle Gibbs. In his 123-ball knock, he smashed 12 boundaries, scoring 115 runs. However, India chased down the total in last over of 2nd innings.
10. Rassie Van der Dussen
Rassie van der Dussen is one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against Pakistan in a bilateral series in 2021, batting in 1st innings, South Africa piled up 273 runs on a road of a pitch with Rassie van der Dussen smacking a century. Batting in 1st innings, with the score reading 55-4, Rassie van der Dussen stitched together a 116-run stand with David Miller. In his 134-ball knock, he smashed ten boundaries and two gigantic sixes, scoring 123 runs. However, Pakistan chased down the total in last over of 2nd innings.
