Having been put in to bat in the second ODI between South Africa and Pakistan at the Wanderers, South Africa finished with a formidable 341-6 at the end of 50 overs, writes Aditya Mehta.
South African openers, Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram built a 55-run partnership in 9.3 overs. While de Kock looked scratchy early on, Markram was at his aggressive best, hitting four boundaries and two sixes in his 39 off 34 balls. A six over extra cover off Faheem Ashraf was the highlight of his innings.
Quinton de Kock took his time to find his best form. His 80 off 86 balls included ten boundaries and a six. His contribution was vital to the 114-run partnership with Proteas captain, Temba Bavuma, who contributed with 92 off 102.
Bavuma’s innings was slow, to begin with. Struggling to find the gaps or the boundary early on, Bavuma persevered and was soon able to improve his strike rate. Bavuma’s aggressive running between the wickets was the hallmark of his innings.
Rassie van der Dussen, after scoring his first ODI hundred at SuperSport Park on Friday, scored 60 off 37 balls. In a 101-run partnership off 69 balls with Temba Bavuma, van der Dussen showed intent from the get-go and dominated proceedings in the middle overs. Van der Dussen’s sixes over square leg and mid-wicket were breathtaking.
David Miller, promoted to number 5, scored his fastest half-century for South Africa, with a mighty aggressive 50 off 27 balls. Two consecutive sixes off Faheem Ashraf were an indication of his form, and helped take South Africa to 341 at the end of 50 overs.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
