IPL 2020: 4 South African players who never played the tournament but could have done well

The South African team was one the best balanced teams in the 1990s and the 2000s. Be it Test cricket or ODI cricket, the team excelled in both the formats at home, as well as overseas.

The team was blessed with technically sound batsmen, a pool of all-rounders and a pace attack which any opponent would envy. The team won its maiden and till date the only ICC trophy in the year 1998 when they beat West Indies to clinch the Champions Trophy title.

It is therefore not a surprise that South Africa were the pre-tournament favorites for the 1999 World Cup. However, they could not proceed beyond the semi-final stage and are still awaiting their maiden World Cup title.

On that note, here is a look at 4 players who excelled for South Africa in the limited overs format and would have tasted success in the IPL too.

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#1. Lance Klusener

Lance Klusener had a strike rate of almost 90 in ODI cricket

The South African all-rounder Lance Klusener would have set the IPL stage in fire with his all-round skills. Klusener, was an explosive batsman in the lower middle order who could change the course of a match in few overs. He was very handy with the ball too and picked up wickets regularly for his team.

In 137 ODI innings, the left handed batsman scored 3576 runs at an average of 41.10 and a strike rate of 89.92. He has 19 half centuries and 2 centuries to his credit. He could clear boundaries at ease and the opponents could not afford to be complacent till he was on the crease.

He also has 192 ODI wickets to his credit at an average of 29.95. He was an effective bowler and added depth to the team with his all-round abilities. All-rounders play a vital role in limited overs cricket and Klusener too would have loved IPL cricket.

#2. Brian McMillan

Brian McMillan was a handy all-rounder

Brian McMillan played a vital role for South Africa post their re-admission to the game in the year 1991. He made rapid strides in international cricket in the mid 1990s and won South African Cricket Annual Cricketer of the year 1991 and 1996.

He would have interested a few franchises in IPL cricket as he was a handy batsman lower down the order and also bowled with pace. He was an excellent fielder too and has taken many catches at slip for South Africa with is bucket hands.

In 52 ODI innings, the all-rounder has scored 841 runs at an average of 23.36 and a strike rate of 73.19. He came in to bat on most occasions at the end of the innings and provided finishing touches to the innings. He has 70 ODI wickets too to his credit at an average of 36.99.

He would have succeeded in the T20 format as it would have suited his style of cricket. He was indeed an important player in the South African team in the 1990s and guided them to many victories and made them a formidable team in Tests as well as ODIs.

#3. Jonty Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes was an excellent fielder and a handy batsman

Apart from batting and bowling, fielding is an equally important component of the game of cricket. Jonty Rhodes, with his explosive and sharp fielding skills redefined the definition of fielding in the game of cricket.

He made a name for himself at the backward point position, making it his own in international cricket. Be it ground fielding or taking spectacular diving catches, Rhodes was a livewire in the field. He saved loads of runs on the cricketing field and rarely would the batsmen take an additional run if the ball was in his hands,

Apart from his fielding skills, he was a handy middle order batsman and could play the role of a finisher. He has 5935 ODI runs to his credit at an average of 35.12 and a strike rate of 80.90. He was equally effective against fast bowlers as well as spinners and had 33 half centuries and 2 centuries to his credit.

Rhodes would have been on the radar of many teams for the IPL. He has also served as a fielding coach for the Mumbai Indians in IPL cricket.

#4. Allan Donald

Allan Donald was the nicknamed white lightning

272 ODI wickets an average of 21.79 defines the greatness of Allan Donald in the ODI format. He also has 330 Test wickets at an average of 22.25 to his credit and was one of the most successful bowlers to have played for South Africa in Test as well as ODI cricket.

He was extremely quick and used to unsettle the batsmen with his pace. He had a classical bowling action and was a delight to watch when he bowled.

He played a vital role in the growth and success of South Africa post their re-admission in international cricket. He was a match winner with the ball on his day. He along with Shaun Pollock were considered as one of the most dangerous opening bowling pair in international cricket in the 90s.

Donald had the knack of picking wickets with the new ball and used to bowl well in the death overs too. His pace and accurate bowling would have earned him a hefty IPL contract and he would have definitely tasted success in the T20 format too.