Heinrich Klaasen marked his return to the starting XI with a 33-ball 66 against England to help the Proteas set 222/6 in the third T20I at SuperSport Park in Centurion, writes Khalid Mohidin.
The Pretoria-born wicketkeeper-batsman wasn’t having the greatest of runs in the Proteas T20 yellow. After scoring 69 on his T20I debut he had a bad run of form, notching a high score of 22 in his next eight games.
But having been in and out the squad in all formats in the past year, he was given the opportunity by Mark Boucher in the series decider against England in Centurion. Boy did he impress.
The innings started with solidly upfront – Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma showing their destructive abilities.
Chris Jordan came into the attack in the 4th over and Quinton de Kock picked his target, aimed and released the trigger with three massive consecutive sixes – over deep-midwicket, over fine leg and another thumped over deep midwicket.
Bavuma was equally explosive. He smashed Adil Rashied on one knee for a slog-sweep for six on his first delivery over midwicket and smashed Ben Stokes for six on his first ball over deep-midwicket.
The pair ended the power play on 64/0 and took that total to 84 towards the end of the 8th over when the first wicket fell – Quinton de Kock not picking a Ben Stokes slower delivery picked out the fielder on the square-leg boundary.
Bavuma was bowled shortly after on 49, after hitting 3 sixes and 4 fours at a strike rate of 204. A marvellous expedition of what Bavuma is capable of in the shortest format.
England climbed back into the match by dismissing Rassie van der Dussen, the Proteas 3 down for 113 runs after 11.2 overs.
What followed next was a T20 masterclass by homeboy Klaasen.
He put his hand up for a regular starting position by reaching his half-century in 25 balls.
His beautiful innings came to an end, after a 33-ball 66 (4 fours, 4 sixes).
After the wicket of Dwaine Pretorius in the 19th over, David Miller was left with the responsibility to set England an unreachable target.
He hit a six off the final ball of the 19th over, to take the Proteas to 210/5.
The batsmen crossed as Andile Phehlukwayo lost his wicket trying to clear the boundary to put Miller back on strike. He hit two fours in the final over and took his score to 35 (3 fours, 2 sixes)
The Proteas finished with 222/6, the second-highest total at SuperSport Park.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
