Let’s begin the recap with the top three run-scorers in the CSA 4-Day Series this season which saw Titans crowned champions.

Another cracking season of first-class cricket has come to an end, and it’s been a revelation for more reasons than one.

First of all, the change in structure allowed for an eight-team top tier, as opposed to six teams on previous occasions. As a result, more and more players have been able to seize their early opportunities to announce themselves to profound effect.

There has been plenty of discussion about the Proteas and their batting in Test cricket, as it’s been the Achilles heel in recent times. However, it’s evident that a bright crop of batters is taking centre stage. With that being said, let’s begin the recap with the top three run-scorers in the CSA 4-Day Series.

Pieter Malan
601 runs in 5 games @ 120.20
100’s – 2
Best – 219*

The seasoned opener completed yet another successful stint, rounding it off with a superlative double-ton against the Dolphins. While he’s now fallen down the pecking order in the Test arena, Malan remains a solid, steadfast domestic workhorse for Boland and the Paarl Rocks.

It was a rather middling season for his team, but he did well to lead from the front and produce the required results right from the get-go. Known to be a patient batter, Malan often helped build substantial opening partnerships, setting the platform for a large total.

David Bedingham
509 runs in 5 games @ 63.62
100’s – 1
Best – 199

The recent situation for the talented Western Province batter has left many speculating where his potential international future may lie, but regardless, Bedingham has continued his rich vein of form from the county circuit.

It may have been a mixed bag of a season for WP, but Bedingham’s exploits have most definitely been a positive. His highlights included an excellent 199 in their penultimate game against the Knights, as well as two pairs of half-centuries against the Dolphins and the Lions, respectively.

Ryan Rickelton
497 runs in 5 games @ 82.83
100’s – 3
Best – 159

Hailed as one of South Africa’s future superstars, the hard-hitting left-hander has been crucial to the Lions’ success. Rickelton’s barnstorming consistency earned him a Test call-up for the home series against India as well as the away series against New Zealand. And here’s another factoid: Rickelton is the only batter in this season to score more than two centuries.

Despite his naturally aggressive approach, he showed another layer to his game with a more circumspect century against WP to save the game and secure a draw. He hasn’t yet gotten a chance to play a Test match, but it’s fair to say that the debut is coming up very soon, maybe even as early as the first Test against Bangladesh.