Advertisement

Brutal Klaasen smashes massive ton as Proteas square series

cricket15 September 2023 18:26| © MWP
By:Neil Manthorp
Share

Heinrich Klaasen smashed an astonishing 174 from just 83 deliveries to lead South Africa to a staggering, record-breaking total of 416-5 and victory by a colossal 164 runs after being asked to bat first in the fourth one-day international against Australia at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday.

Australia were bundled out for 252 with Lungi Ngidi (4-51) making early inroads removing David Warner (12) and Mitchell Marsh (6) before adding the wickets of hard-hitting Tim David for 35 and allrounder Nathan Ellis (18).

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey compiled an excellent 99 from 77 balls to keep the margin of defeat to a semi-respectable level before gloving a bouncer from Rabada to Quinton de Kock but the result was never in doubt.

Klaasen displayed astonishingly good touch in the first half of his innings during which he reached 50 from 38 balls but he became brutal in the second half which required just another 19 balls to reach his third ODI century.

His third 50 came from only 20 balls.

Slog-sweeping, driving off both front and back feet, pulling and flicking off his pads, Klaasen cleared the ropes 13 times and added another 13 fours while David Miller, with whom he shared a fifth partnership of 222 off 94 balls, was briefly made to look pedestrian with 82 not out from just 45 balls with six fours and five, ferociously struck sixes.

Miller shrugged off a quiet series so far by belting his first delivery from Adam Zampa for six contributing to the legspinners shocking analysis of 10-0-113-0, the second most expensive ever. His final over cost 26 with Klaasen striking the final two deliveries for six.

Josh Hazlewood, who also conceded his most expensive analysis (1-74) in Potchefstroom on Wednesday, ‘improved’ his record to 2-79 from his 10 overs.

Klaasen’s innings was the eighth highest for South Africa in ODIs while the total was the highest ever scored at one of South Africa’s highest scoring grounds. Asked between innings whether he thought it was ‘enough’ to square the series, he replied: “Well, 400 is usually a pretty good score.”

Australia’s run-chase folded quickly when Warner (12) drove Ngidi to Miller at cover and captain Marsh (6) was trapped lbw.

BATTING SHOW

Marnus Labuschagne (20) gloved a bouncer from Marco Jansen to De Kock and Marcus Stoinis (18) departed in identical fashion against Kagiso Rabada (7.5-0-41-3).

Opener Travis Head (17) was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the left hand by Gerald Coetzee and could be a huge loss to his country at next month’s World Cup with a suspected fractured finger.

The platform for South Africa’s rampage in the final 15 overs was laid by the top three who batted with a caution which was to be more than justified.

De Kock was especially out-of-character with 45 from 64 balls (5x4) while opening partner Reeza Hendricks contributed 28 from 34 balls (5x4) before Nathan Ellis hit the top of his off-stump with the best delivery of the innings.

Rassie van der Dussen played some classic cover drives to complement some innovations, including a reverse ramp for six against Josh Hazlewood, in his 62 from 65 balls which included seven fours and two maximums before bottom edging Hazlewood to ‘keeper Alex Carey.

Wednesday’s centurion, Aiden Markram, enjoyed the batting show from the changing room after driving Marcus Stoinis to cover for just eight.

South Africa were without captain Temba Bavuma who injured his right abductor muscle during Tuesday’s 111-run victory in Potchefstroom.

Hendricks took his place at the top of the order with Markram taking over as captain and van der Dussen returned to the top order.

Wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi was rested for the game with Keshav Maharaj the sole specialist spinner while Rabada and Ngidi both returned to the starting XI.

The final, deciding match of the series will be played at the Wanderers on Sunday.

SOUTH AFRICA: Quinton de Kock (wkt), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (captain), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

AUSTRALIA: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wkt), Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Michael Neser, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Advertisement