Rassie van der Dussen silenced his critics by racing to a half-century in 23 balls before finishing on 74 off 32 balls as the Proteas posted 191-3 in the 3rd T20I against England at Six Gun Grill Newlands, writes Khalid Mohidin.
Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen proved their importance to the South African side. After losing their top 3 for 63 runs, the pair took their time to get their eye in before scoring a record-breaking 4th-wicket partnership, beating AB de Villiers and Farhaan Behardien’s 110 against England in Southampton in 2017.
The pair raced to 103 off 59 balls and ended the innings with a record 4th-wicket partnership of 127 runs off 64 balls.
They stamped their authority, particularly in the last 5 overs where they hit 84 runs, as they took the Proteas from 107/3 to 191/3 in 20 overs.
Van der Dussen silenced his critics who complained about his slow batting approach in the opening two matches. He raced to his half-century in 23 balls. Making his way into the top 10 for fastest half-centuries by a South African in T20 cricket (tied 5th fastest).
He showed his class particularly against Jofra Archer in the 17th over. He hit the England speedster for 20 runs – A six over deep midwicket, thumped down the ground for four, whipped past the bowler for another four, and a leg-side swing to add another maximum to his name.
He stepped up as well against Chris Jordan in the final over with a swing through backward square for four and then getting on one knee to smash the bowler straight down the ground for two maximums.
Faf du Plessis was the perfect partner for Van Der Dussen. He reached his half-century in 37 balls and ended his innings with a 37-ball 52 (five 4s and three 6s).
It was an incredible effort by both middle-order batsmen as they proved once again their importance to the Proteas.
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