South African cricket team, nicknamed Proteas, is unarguably one of the top teams in world cricket, dominating every format. The team has produced many great players and gave us some brilliant individual performances in various tournaments. So, in this article, we will discuss 'Top 10 Knocks played by the South African Batters in the Champions Trophy'.
1. Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith is a name that is known to all and he was unarguably one of the greatest batters from South Africa. Smith played one of the best knocks of his career against England in the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy. Chasing a massive 324 runs, with a score reaching 64-2, he put together a 78-run partnership with AB de Villiers. In his 134-ball knock, Smith scored 141 runs, hitting 16 boundaries. Notably, this knock came in losing cause.
2. Herschelle Gibbs
Herschelle Gibbs was one of the finest batters from South Africa and was one of the best middle-order batter. Gibbs played one of the best knocks of his career against India in the semi-final of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. Chasing 262 runs, with a score reaching 14-1, he put together a 178-run partnership with Jacques Kallis. In his 119-ball knock, Gibbs scored 116 runs, hitting 16 boundaries. Notably, this knock came in a losing cause.
3. Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis was one of the finest all-rounder from South Africa and could easily walk into any all-time team. Kallis played one of the best knock of his career against Sri Lanka in the semi-final of the 1998 ICC Champions Trophy. In the 1st innings, with a score reaching 87-4, he put together a 81-run partnership with Hansie Cronje. In his 100-ball knock, Kallis scored 113 runs, hitting 5 boundaries and 5 gigantic sixes.
4. Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla was one of the finest batters from South Africa and was one of the best top-order batter. Amla played one of the best knocks of his career against Sri Lanka in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. Batting first on a road of a pitch, Amla smashed a ton. With a score reaching 44-1, he put together a 145-run partnership with Faf du Plessis. In his 115-ball knock, Amla scored 103 runs, hitting 5 boundaries and 2 gigantic sixes.
5. David Miller
David Miller is unarguably one of the finest batters from South Africa and was one of the best middle-order batter from South Africa. Miller played one of the best knocks of his career against Pakistan in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. Batting first on a tricky pitch, South Africa piled up 219 runs with Miller smashing a half-century. With a score reaching 165-7, he put together a 48-run partnership with Kagiso Rabada. In his 104-ball knock, Miller scored 75 runs, hitting 1 boundary and 3 gigantic sixes. Notably, this came in a losing cause.
6. Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis was one of the finest batter from South Africa and was one of the best middle-order batters from South Africa. Plessis played one of the best knocks of his career against Sri Lanka in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. Batting first on a tricky pitch South Africa piled up 299 runs with Plessis smashing a half-century. With a score reaching 44-1, he put together a 145-run partnership with Hashim Amla. In his 70-ball knock, Plessis scored 75 runs, hitting 6 boundaries.
7. Colin Ingram
Colin Ingram was one of the finest batters from South Africa and was one of the best top order batters from South Africa. Ingram played one of the best knocks of his career against West Indies in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. Batting first on a road of a pitch, South Africa piled up 230 runs in a rain-effected game, with Ingram smashing a half-century. With a score reaching 80-1, he put together a 44-run partnership with AB de Villiers. In his 63-ball knock, Ingram scored 73 runs, hitting 6 boundaries and two gigantic sixes. Notably, this game ended in a tie.
8. AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers, nicknamed Mr. 360, was unarguably one of the finest batters from South Africa and could easily walk into any all-time team. AB de Villiers played one of the best knocks of his career against New Zealand in the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy. Chasing 215 runs, with a score reaching 138-4, he put together a 42-run partnership with Mark Boucher. In his 76-ball knock, AB de Villiers scored 70 runs, hitting 9 boundaries.
9. Jonty Rhodes
Jonty Rhodes is a name that is known to all and he was one of the best lower order batters from South Africa. Rhodes played one of the best knocks of his career against England in the quarter finals of the 1998 ICC Champions Trophy. Chasing 282 runs, with a score reaching 135-3, he put together a 117-run partnership with Hansie Cronje. In his 63-ball knock, Rhodes scored 61 runs, hitting 5 boundaries.
10. Hansie Cronje
Hansie Cronje is a name that is known to all and he was one of the best middle order batters from South Africa, apart from being one of the greatest captains. Cronje played one of the best knocks of his career against West Indies in the final of the 1998 ICC Champions Trophy. Chasing 246 runs, with a score reaching 137-5, he put together a 74-run partnership with Dale Benkenstein. In his 77-ball knock, Cronje scored 61 runs, hitting 4 boundaries.
