Jordan Hermann became only the fifth South African to score a century on ODI debut as his remarkable 150 helped the Proteas to a 99-run DLS victory over Namibia in the opening ODI in Windhoek.
Hermann joined Colin Ingram, Temba Bavuma, Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Breetzke as South Africans to reach three figures on ODI debut, while becoming only the second of that group to go on to make 150 in his first match.
He shared a 190-run second-wicket partnership with Tony de Zorzi, who reached his third ODI half-century, as South Africa posted 348 before Namibia’s chase was interrupted by rain.
For Hermann, though, reaching his century was never the point at which the job was complete.
“Yeah, it’s incredibly special.
“I think my whole life I’ve been taught that you don’t just get 100. You obviously try to push it further and further and I think that was also what the conditions were asking. So not just get 100 but push on a bit.
“Obviously, I didn’t want to give Namibia a sniff because I feel they’re a good team and they get some leverage to work with and we just try to kill all type of sense of any bad patches of play they can capitalise on.
“So I’m chuffed that I could do that and get us in the winning position.”
Patience was the difference
Despite the size of South Africa’s eventual total, Hermann felt batting conditions demanded patience.
The Proteas were not able to score as freely as they may have wanted, but Hermann believed their ability to assess the conditions and keep the scoreboard moving was important.
“I think we summed up the conditions quite well. It wasn’t as free-flowing as we wanted, but I think we communicated well and said just stick at it a bit and target the right areas.
“I think we ran quite well between the wickets and I think we got the odd boundary away which helped us stick along.
“I think we stayed very much patient and I think that’s probably the difference.”
South Africa eventually finished on 348, but Hermann believes there is still more to come from the batting group during the remainder of the series.
“Yeah, definitely. I think it wasn’t as free-flowing as it could have been, as probably we’re known for. But I think 350 was still a good wicket for being asked to bat first.
“So hopefully we can top that if we do. We’ve been batting very well and it’ll be difficult. Namibia is a good team.
“We never underestimate them so it’ll be good if we can replicate that.”
A 190-run partnership with De Zorzi
A major part of Hermann’s innings was his 190-run stand with De Zorzi.
De Zorzi reached his third ODI half-century during the partnership, and Hermann praised the way the pair managed what he described as a tricky stage of the innings.
“I think we communicated well. It was a tricky stage. I think if we lose two wickets there, it gives them the sniff.
“I think Tony’s played quite a bit of international cricket now so there wasn’t really pressure to be honest. We said this is what we’re going to do and we stuck at it.
“I don’t like saying it but it’s just how cricket goes sometimes.
“I think people overreact with two or three innings and people are up in arms. A good player is always right at the top so I have no concern about anything like that.
“Tony is an incredible player and I’m sure he’ll play a lot of great innings for Proteas.
“Sometimes he leads the charge and sometimes he contributes to a match-winning partnership. It was very nice playing with Tony. It was very easy. Very chilled.”
Hermann backs the Proteas attack
With 348 on the board, Hermann had confidence in South Africa’s bowling attack to defend the total.
“I think it got better in the second innings. Obviously the rain put a bit of a dampener on that. But I think the bowlers we have are world-class, they can sum up conditions very well.
“So I think, to be honest, I’ll back our bowlers to defend most targets on their days. I think it’s just setting up a good target on what the condition dictates.”
The rain eventually intervened in Namibia’s chase, with South Africa securing a 99-run victory via the DLS method.
Back-to-back Player of the Match performances
Hermann’s 150 continued an impressive run for the young batter, who has now produced back-to-back Player of the Match performances.
For Hermann, however, the individual recognition is secondary to contributing towards victories.
“Very good. I’m glad I can contribute to the team’s success. That’s always the main thing.
“I think if you get man-of-the-match, that just shows you’re contributing in good ways and I’ll try my best to do that as much as I can.”
A special moment for the Hermann family
Hermann was also able to share the milestone with his family.
His parents were in Windhoek, while his brother Rubin was part of the Proteas squad.
“My girlfriend was also here. I believe she’s a bit of a good luck charm. That was very nice.
“My mum and dad was here and it was incredibly special for them and not only them but for me for the hours they’ve put in.
“My mum being the psychologist, my dad being a coach my whole life as well. I’m incredibly grateful for the role they’ve played in my life and I’m pretty sure they’re very chuffed with the two of their three sons and the other son is also doing very well for himself.”
For Hermann, it was a historic beginning to his ODI career.
A century on debut already placed him in rare company.
But the mentality behind pushing that hundred all the way to 150 perhaps said even more about the innings.
“My whole life I’ve been taught that you don’t just get 100. You obviously try to push it further and further.”
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