
Andre Nel was one of the key bowlers in the South African attack in the 2000s. The right-arm pacer represented South Africa at the highest level from 2001 to 2008 across formats and took 232 wickets at the highest level. After Allan Donald started to age, Nel slowly replaced him in the side and delivered some solid performances.
Nel was at his best in the mid-2000s, when he won matches for South Africa both in Tests and ODIs. He played 36 Tests and 79 ODIs for South Africa and had decent numbers. At his peak, Nel’s pace could trouble many batters in the world and he could run through the batting lineups on even some of the flattest surfaces.
Here are the top 3 performances of Andre Nel in international cricket –
1. 2/19 against New Zealand, 1st T20I in 2005, Johannesburg
Batting first on a tough surface in Johannesburg, South Africa managed to score just 133 on the back of Graeme Smith’s 61(43). Nathan Astle and Jeetan Patel took three wickets each, as South Africa posted a below par total. Nel was the best bowler for the hosts, as he claimed 2/19 in his four overs. However, they lost the match by five wickets.
2. 4/13 against India, 2nd ODI of the 2006/07 series, Durban
South Africa batted first and scored 248 in their 50 overs on a tricky surface, thanks to an unbeaten 109 off 160 from Jacques Kallis. In reply to it, India was dismissed for just 91 in 29.1 overs. Nel was the pick of the bowlers, who claimed 4/13 in eight overs with two maidens, including the wickets of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Zaheer Khan.
3. 4/56 and 6/32 against the West Indies, 3rd Test of the 2004/05 series, Barbados
Batting first on a true surface, the West Indies managed to score 296 in their first innings thanks to Brian Lara’s 176(224). Nel claimed 4/56 in his 21.2 overs. South Africa scored 548/9 before declaring their innings. In the second innings, the West Indies were undone for 166 thanks to Nel’s 6/32 in 16.2 overs, as South Africa won by an innings and 86 runs.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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