The much-awaited test series between two gladiators of the longest format was nothing short of spectacular. The series was iconic for more than one reason – the cricket world saw the rise of a potential superstar in Kagiso Rabada, while Temba Bavuma showed why he is not one to be left behind. Subsequently, in the English camp, Root enhanced his already gnarly reputation, while, in Steven Finn, they found a capable first-change bowler and the young English team achieved a feat they could reflect on with utmost pride.

Though England won the battle, surprisingly South Africa may have won the war. England came in with an unsettled top order and a fidgety wicketkeeper and if anything, they are going back with an even more unsettled top order and a keeper who possibly dropped more than he held – well, not exactly but you get the point.

On the other hand, the Proteas found a solid opener in Stephen Cook, an able no. 6 in Temba Bavuma who helped himself to a big slice of history by becoming the first black African to hit a century for South Africa, an aggressive and a proficient wicket-keeper batsman in Quinton de Kock and most importantly saw the return to form of the Mighty Hash. The series was not without a few off-field talking points though with AB’s retirement talk being the highlight. Amid all the retirement chatter, Amla made the shock decision to resign as South Africa’s Test captain following the drawn second Test to give AB the gift of his lifetime. The change of guard seemed to have little effect as South Africa were humiliated in the following test at the Wanderers with Stuart Broad being the chief destroyer taking 6-17 in the second innings.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the South Africans, as the absence of Steyn and Philander provided a perfect platform for the rookies to stake their claim in the Test XI and that is exactly what the young Rabada did. Rabada bowled with fire in his belly as he almost single-handedly carried the bowling attack in the final test of the series becoming the highest wicket taker of the series midway in spite of his absence in the first test, giving South Africa a much-needed first test win since 2015.

The series had many talking points and in Rabada, Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Stokes, Root and Finn, we may have seen a short but promising glimpse of what future holds which certainly seems highly exciting.

Here is a list of the top performers in the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy

Top 5 Wicket-takers