Miller-Klaasen stand sets up much-needed Proteas win

David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen scored brilliant, unbeaten half-centuries to set up a nine-run victory against India in the first of three one-day internationals at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday.

The tourists read conditions perfectly to post a total of 249-4 and, despite some nervy moments in the final overs, restricted the hosts to 240-8 in reply to secure a much-needed victory in their quest to secure automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup.

At 118-5 India appeared to have no chance of victory but Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 86 from 63 balls gave his team a chance that never seemed likely. Tabraiz Shamsi (8-0-89-1) endured a horror game but was tasked with bowling the final over defending 30 – and conceded 20.

On a pitch offering lavish turn for the spinners, Keshav Maharaj returned the remarkable analysis of 8-1-23-1 to off-set Shamsi’s wretched night. Kagiso Rabada (2-36) and Lungi Ngidi (3-52) were also instrumental in South Africa’s victory.

"A good fight at the end, obviously Sanju pushed us, but the boys stood firm and took us to the win," skipper Temba Bavuma said after the win.

"Miller and Klaasen played positively, strung together a partnership and took us to a good score. The bowling was good upfront. At the end of the day, we were able to stay calm under pressure."

The unbroken fifth wicket partnership of 139 between Klaasen and Miller rebuilt the South African innings after being asked to bat first and both men were in sublime form with Klaasen finishing on 74 from only 65 deliveries (6x4, 2x6) while Miller, in the form of his life, made 75 not out from 63 balls with five fours and three sixes after the tourists had slipped to 110-4 in the 23rd over of a match reduced to 40-overs per side because of light rain and a wet outfield at the scheduled start.

Both batters were given lives in the final five overs with catches in the deep being spilt on a muggy, humid evening but they rode their luck and cashed in with a flurry of boundaries to post a competitive total.

Rabada and Wayne Parnell both claimed early wickets to put the skids under the run-chase at 8-2 with Rabada bowling Shubman Gill (3) with a beautiful nip-backer before captain Shikhar Dhawan (4 from 16 balls) played on to Parnell.

LAVISH TURN

A faltering Ruturaj Gaikwad (19 from 42 balls) was comprehensively beaten by a ripping leg-break from Tabraiz Shamsi and Ishan Kishan (20 from 37 balls) was equally becalmed on a surface offering lavish turn to the spinners when he fended a delivery to leg slip.

Shreyas Iyer brought India back into the contest with a dashing 50 from 37 balls but a pull shot against Lungi Ngidi landed tamely in Rabada’s hands at mid-on and India were 118-5.

Sanju Samson was in outstanding, T20 mode in the closing overs lashing boundaries at will with the target seemingly out of reach. Until, suddenly, it was a possibility with 28 runs coming from the 36th and 37th overs leaving 45 required from the final three.

"Quite proud of the way the boys played the game, we didn't get a good start. The way Shreyas, Samson and Shardul batted was excellent," said Dhawan.

"We gave away too many runs on a wicket that swung and spun, the fielding wasn't great, but this was a good learning experience for us."

Earlier, Proteas opener Janneman Malan never settled on a pitch offering seam movement and lavish turn for the spinners and laboured to 22 from 42 balls before mistiming a drive against medium pacer Shardul Thakur to midwicket.

Captain Temba Bavuma (8) briefly threatened to end his horror run of form when he swept and drove legspinner Ravi Bishnoi for a pair of fours in the 14th over but it was not to be and a nip-backer from Thakur hit his off stump in the next over ending his innings after 12 balls.

Aiden Markram (0) was bowled by an outrageous delivery from left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav which spun at least a foot from outside off stump to pass between bat and pad and South Africa were 71-3 after 16 overs.

INDIA: Shikhar Dhawan (capt), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson (wk), Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Avesh Khan

SOUTH AFRICA: Janneman Malan, Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (capt), Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi