Proteas batsman, Reeza Hendricks admitted that Australia’s intensity and competitiveness proved just too strong for the South Africans as they stumbled to a record 111-run loss in the first of three T20I matches against the Baggy Greens in Durban last night.

Hendricks top scored for the home side with a knock of 56 runs from 43 balls. While Australian captain, Mitchell Marsh steered his side to a total of 226/6 in their 20 overs, scoring an unbeaten 97 runs in the process.

The Marsh “Masterclass” was supported by a well-executed partnership by Tim David on the other side of the crease. David joined his skipper in the middle with Australia sitting at 77-4.

The duo then steered the visitors past the 150 mark before Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi claimed the scalp of David for 64 runs during the 15th over.

The damage had already been done, and with captain fantastic in the middle, and a 23-run cameo from Aaron Hardie, Australia posted 226.

In their chase of the biggest total ever posted in Kingsmead, South Africa suffered an early blow when Temba Bavuma was dismissed for a duck in the first over by Marcus Stoinis. 

Hendricks proved to be the only shining light in the Proteas arsenal. His half century, with a 20 run cameo from Rassie van der Dussen, and Marco Jansen saw the hosts bowled out for 115 runs.

Reacting to the record defeat, Hendricks lamented the lack of partnerships and rapid fall of wickets around him for his side’s shortcomings in reaching the total.

“I thought we actually bowled nicely, we got wickets when needed,” he said.

“They (Australia) came out with intent and put us under pressure, but we always felt like we were in the game by taking wickets. However, that partnership by Mitch Marsh and Tim David put them in a good position.”

“Obviously with the batting, there’s not much to talk about, we were just lacking with partnerships, had we managed to get two or three partnerships going, I’m sure it would’ve been a different game.”

The clash against the Baggie greens was South Africa’s first international match in almost five months.

The talk during the week was that the home side weren’t necessarily concerned about the long lay-off from competitive cricket, and that their preparations had gone well.

However, the performance on the pitch stated otherwise. For starters, the home side’s bowling attack looked rusty, bowling expensive deliveries which saw each of the five bowlers concede 40 plus runs.

Lizaad Williams, just like Hendricks with the bat, was the pick of the bowlers, picking up three wickets in his four overs, with an economy of 11.00.

Hendricks however, admitted that Australia’s intensity proved to be too much for the host.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a shell shocker, it’s hard to put in words, it’s just a bit different with the competitiveness, intensity and you can’t replicate that in training, especially if you’re training amongst your own, it’s just completely different,” said Hendricks.

“Obviously, when you’re playing more, you get used to it (the intensity and competitiveness) but yeah we haven’t played leading up to this which is a bit more difficult.”

The Proteas will have to quickly move forward and forget about the disappointing defeat as the second T20I is just around the corner on Friday, 1 September.

The match will be played at the same venue at Kingsmead in Durban at 18:00. Hendricks believes there’s a lot to improve if his side are to level the series up.

“With the quick turnaround, we have to put tonight behind us, and look ahead,” he said.

“Come Friday it’s another opportunity for us to improve – so yeah, we’re obviously not using the lack of game time as an excuse but we’re looking forward to the next game – a lot of room for improvement come Friday.”