Sri Lanka confirmed that they will be one of the favourites to win the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy after a superb 55-run victory over the Proteas on Tuesday.

South Africa, on the other hand, looked sluggish in the field and after Tillakaratne Dilshan's superb century, never really got back into the game. Barend Prins rates their individual performances.

Graeme Smith

It was a mistake sending the Sri Lankans in to bat first, and despite it being a decision Smith arguably did not make all by himself, he is the one that will take the blame for it. Top-scoring with a quickfire 58, Smith seemed to be over the elbow injury that plagued him last season. 6/10.

Hashim Amla

Failed with the bat and did very little else, Amla did not capitalise on the opportunity Herschelle Gibbs's injury presented. If Herschelle is fit to play on Thursday, 'Hash' will undoubtedly find himself back on the bench once more. 3/10.

Jacques Kallis

Not his best day in the field but not the worst of the performers either. Looked good with the bat, however, before being caught brilliantly by Angelo Mathews off Ajantha Mendis for 41. 6/10.

AB de Villiers

Had an off day in the field and made 24 with the bat. With his wicket went South Africa's final hopes of pulling off an unlikely chase. 5/10.

JP Duminy

Despite taking the wicket of a well-set Kumar Sangakkara, JP's primary job in the team is to score runs, and at that he failed miserably. His first-ball duck put the proverbial cat thoroughly amongst the pigeons so to speak. 3/10.

Mark Boucher

The match was already almost over as a contest when Boucher came in to bat (at 113/4), but a bigger innings from Boucher might have kept Proteas hopes alive a little longer. Did very little wrong behind the stumps, however. 6/10.

Albie Morkel

Poor with ball in hand but looked good when he came in to bat. Despite the losing postion South Africa were in when the Centurion rains came down, on 29 not out, the big-hitting Morkel might still have fancied his chances of taking his side close to victory. 6/10.

Johan Botha

A Botha misfield in the first over seemed to set the tone for the rest of the team's day in the field. His bowling was competent at a crucial part of the Sri Lankan innings, without ever looking like taking a wicket though. Played a neat cameo coming in when all was already pretty much lost. 6/10.

Roelof van der Merwe

Wicketless, but by far the pick of the bowlers. The only bowler able to put a break on the Sri Lankan run-rate whilst Dilshan and Sangakkara were at it, Van der Merwe is fast becoming an integral part of the Proteas set-up. 8/10.

Dale Steyn

Not at his absolute best, but Steyn is the only one of the fast bowlers who does not need to feel ashamed by his performance on Tuesday night. 7/10.

Wayne Parnell

Undoubtedly his worst performance for the Proteas and despite his three wickets late during the Sri Lankan innings, it was a match Parnell would want to forget as soon as possible. It will, however, hopefully be a good learning experience for the talented left-armer. 3/10.

  • Do you agree with Barend's ratings for the Proteas? Add yours instead or discuss the match below!