18 Sep Phenomenal Klaasen Levels Series For Proteas
CENTURION: Heinrich Klaasen produced one of the best innings ever by a South African to help the Proteas level the Betway One-Day International (ODI) Series 2-2 against Australia with a mammoth 164-run win at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday.
The right-hander crashed a phenomenal 174 off 83 balls, an innings that included 13 sixes and 13 fours, to power the hosts to a massive 416 for five – their second highest total versus the tourists.
He shared in a record-breaking 222-run partnership with David Miller (82* off 45 balls, 6 fours, 5 sixes), with the other big contribution coming from Rassie van der Dussen (62 off 65 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes).
Lungi Ngidi then claimed four wickets for 51 and Kagiso Rabada nabbed three for 41 to seal South Africa’s second biggest win over their old rivals.
It was a fine result for Rob Walter’s side, especially after they lost the opening two games as well as the preceding KFC T20 International (T20I) series 3-0 at the start of the tour. They are now all square at 2-2 with the series set up beautifully for a decider at DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday.
South Africa were without regular captain Temba Bavuma at the start due to an adductor strain with T20I skipper Aiden Markram leading them instead.
Despite losing the toss and being put in to bat, they made a steady rather than spectacular start thanks to Quinton de Kock (45) and Reeza Hendricks (28) with the pair putting on 64 for the opening wicket.
Van der Dussen was next in and maintained the progress along with De Kock, who was next to go just before the 100. Captain Markram then followed five overs later for eight as the Australians began to claw their way back.
But from 120 for three in the 26th over, they rapidly shifted gears. Van der Dussen helped Klaasen first add 74 for the fourth wicket in less than 10 overs, before the game exploded in the final 15 overs.
That was when Miller joined Klaasen for an extraordinary partnership that was like no other. Together they scored at an incredible rate of 14.47 runs per over, the highest in history for a 200-run plus partnership in ODIs.
The latter recorded his third ODI century and highest individual ODI score for a batter coming in to bat in the 25th over or later. The previous best was 162 not out by AB de Villiers and Jos Buttler against West Indies and Netherlands respectively. It was also the eighth highest individual score by a South African behind Gary Kirsten’s 188* against United Arab Emirates at the 1996 World Cup.
The 20 sixes struck overall by SA in their innings was their most ever.
For Australia, Adam Zampa conceded a joint world record 113 in his 10 overs, with Josh Hazlewood’s two for 79 their best figures.
Ngidi then inspired the home side at the start of the reply by bagging two early wickets in David Warner (12) and captain Mitchell Marshall (6), the tourists slumping to 22 for two.
They suffered another blow when Travis Head (17) had to retire hurt after being struck on the hand by Gerald Coetzee. The losses of Marnus Labuschagne (20) and Marcus Stoinis (18) further compounded their chase as the total slipped to 113 for four in the 16th over.
Tim David, their second-best batter with 35, gave them some hope when he helped top-scorer Alex Carey (99 off 77 balls, 9 fours, 4 sixes) put on an innings-high 72 for the fifth wicket.
But Ngidi again struck to break that stand, and although Carey went down fighting, he quickly ran out of partners and was last man out thanks to a fine running and diving catch that left the Australians all out for 252 in 34.5 overs.
Proteas ODI squad against Australia
Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sisanda Magala (DP World Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), and Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions).
Betway ODI Series
Thursday, 07 September – 13:00
South Africa lost to Australia by 3 wickets at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
Saturday, 09 September – 13:00
South Africa lost to Australia by 123 runs at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
Tuesday, 12 September – 13:00
South Africa beat Australia by 111 runs at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Friday, 15 September – 13:00
South Africa beat Australia by 164 runs at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Sunday, 17 September – 10:00
South Africa vs Australia – DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
ENDS
Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications
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