It’s how you get back up after you fall that really matters. And Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen have just proven that the Proteas definitely have the ability to stand up.
South Africa scored 399/7 in its allotted 50 overs against England in a hot and muggy Mumbai. This after the team lost its previous match against the Netherlands by 38 runs.
With an ill Temba Bavuma forced to withdraw from the clash, Reeza Hendricks (85 runs) and Rassie van der Dussen (60 runs) got the Protea innings back on track after Quinton de Kock took his wicket in Reece Topley’s first over. lost
Aiden Markram – who holds the reins of captaincy in Bavuma’s absence – did his part with a good innings of 42 runs, but Klaasen stole the cricket spotlight together with Jansen.
The two batsmen enjoyed a partnership of 151 runs from just 77 deliveries and they knocked away the tame England bowlers left and right.
Klaasen, tired and drenched in sweat, hit 16 boundaries in his innings of 109 runs from 67 balls and he and Jansen ensured that the Proteas kept their foot squarely on the accelerator.
When the heat became too much for Klaasen, Jansen batted happily and smashed 26 runs off Topley’s last over.
England will therefore have to play incredible cricket to score 400 runs for victory. However, they can count on players like Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes to provide the necessary momentum.
- Summary of the scorecard:
South Africa 399/7 in 50 overs: Heinrich Klaasen 109, Reeza Hendricks 85, Marco Jansen 75* and Reece Topley 3/88.
25th October 2015 : AB De Villiers smashes a 57 ball hundred against India in Mumbai
21st October 2023 : Heinrich Klaasen smashes a 61 ball hundred against England in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/aa3nK3Vcyt
— Kevin (@imkevin149) October 21, 2023
