Heinrich Klaasen’s dashing hundred helped set the Proteas up for a big 107-run win over the England Lions in their second and final warm-up match at New Road in Worcester on Thursday.
The right-hander blasted five sixes and nine fours in an 85-ball 123, his fifth List A ton, as South Africa posted 360 for seven after winning the toss and batting.
Klaasen shared in a stellar 149-run sixth-wicket partnership with the impressive Andile Phehlukwayo, who himself scored a rapid 67 off 53 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes), after their side had fallen to 167 for five at one point.
“I’m quite happy with my game at the moment,” the centurion said afterwards. “Hopefully I can continue riding the wave. I’m really satisfied with the way in which I’ve been striking the ball. It’s just about staying in the game and taking each ball as it comes.”
That partnership with Phehlukwayo, together with 61 off 52 balls (7 fours, 1 six) by Rassie van der Dussen, led to a booming total for the tourists and they defended it admirably thanks to the bowlers, who all chipped in with wickets to restrict the Lions to 253 all out in 38.2 overs.
Stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj grabbed two wickets in the first five deliveries with his spin – finishing with two for 32 in seven overs – and there were also doubles for Lungi Ngidi (2/39) and Anrich Nortje (2/63).
Another spinner Tabraiz Shamsi was the pick of the bowlers collecting three for 66 and all-rounder Phehlukwayo was also amongst the wickets with one for 49.
It sealed a good win for the Proteas in what was their last warm-up game before their three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against England commences next Tuesday (19 July).
South Africa had lost the opening fixture against the same opponents, although that game was more of a practice run-out in which they were allowed to use the entire touring squad.
“I think the guys can take a lot of confidence from this game,” Klaasen added. “They (England) were kind enough to give us two very good wickets to bat on, so I think the batters will be smiling going into the series.
“The bowlers today were a lot better than the first game, so I think the team will take a lot of confidence out of this.”
The full audio from Heinrich Klaasen can be downloaded here.
Proteas ODI squad against England
Keshav Maharaj (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Reeza Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Marco Jansen (Gbets Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Janneman Malan (GbetsRocks), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dwaine Pretorius (North West Dragons), Anrich Nortje (Gbets Warriors), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans), Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kyle Verreynne (Six Gun Grill Western Province).
South Africa ODI Tour to England Itinerary
Warm-up matches
Tuesday, 12 July
England Lions beat South Africa by 6 wickets – Coopers Associates County Ground, Taunton
Thursday, 14 July
England Lions lost to South Africa by 107 runs – New Road, Worcester
ODIs
Tuesday, 19 July
England vs South Africa – The Riverside, Durham
Friday, 22 July
England vs South Africa – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
Sunday, 24 July
England vs South Africa – Headingley Stadium, Leeds
