Rassie van der Dussen’s maiden century saved South Africa’s innings as they posted 273/6 after being 55/4 in the 1st ODI against Pakistan, writes Khalid Mohidin.
The Proteas had an awful start to their innings after losing the toss on an unusually slow Centurian wicket. They were 55-4 in 14.2 overs, looking down at a troublesome 1st innings total.
Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram played some beautiful shots but gave their wickets away, De Kock’s aggression saw him hit directly to mid-off and Markram chipped a slower delivery to mid-on.
Klaasen found an edge chasing a wide delivery and Bavuma cut a short and wide one to 3rd man.
A recovery fight was needed. They got that in doses from Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller. Both players brought up their half-centuries in a crucial middle-order partnership of 116 off 135 balls.
Miller, however, could not push on and lost his wicket after a 56-ball 50, South Africa reduced to 171/5.
Van der Dussen continued to bind the innings together, this time building a partnership with Andile Phehlukwayo to take the Proteas deep into the 200s. They scored 64 for the sixth wicket, Phehlukwayo losing his wicket on 29, with Rassie one away from a century.
The 32-year-old finally brought up his maiden century in Proteas colours two balls later, in what is his 22nd ODI for his country. Under immense pressure he came out on top, anchoring his side’s innings. The emotions he showed when running for the single, was delightful to see, taking 123 balls (8 x 4, 1 x 6) to reach the milestone.
A shot that summed up his performance came on the last ball of the 48th over. He got down on one knee and took the Proteas past 250 with a massive six over cow corner.
Van der Dussen ended on 123 off 134 balls (10 fours and 1 six).
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
