South Africa backup wicketkeeper makes Devon Conway, Quinton de Kock's jaws drop with bizarre no ball, video goes viral

South Africa's back-up wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen bowled three overs in the middle overs of World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand.

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Arun Rawal

Heinrich Klaasen bowls a beamer (Screengrab: ICC Instagram)

Heinrich Klaasen bowls a beamer (Screengrab: ICC Instagram)

Highlights:

Heinrich Klaasen bowled a beamer to Devon Conway in warm-up match.

Warm-up matches are all about captains exploring their options whether it is batting or bowling. Lower-order batters can be seen batting up the order whereas part-timers roll their arms. As Quinton de Kock is the designated wicketkeeper of the South African side, Heinrich Klaasen tried his hand at bowling during the warm-up match against New Zealand at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on October 2. 
 

In the 24th over of New Zealand's innings, stand-in skipper Aiden Markram introduced Klaasen into the attack. After he got hit for a boundary by Conway on the third ball, the spinner bowled a delivery that Conway would have needed to be on De Kock’s shoulders to get bat on. 
 

As the ball went wide and over Conway, and De Kock, it made their jaws drop. Klaasen was looking at his hand as it slipped but there was new dew. The ball raced towards the boundary as the umpire gave it four byes. The video has been making rounds on the internet.

On the free hit delivery, Klaasen darted one into the left-handed batter. Klaasen took a brilliant reflex catch as well but it was a free hit delivery. The backup wicketkeeper bowled a total of three overs in the middle overs and conceded 23 runs.
 

So far, the 32-year-old has bowled just five overs in ODIs. He has yet to take a wicket in the international arena.
 

After New Zealand posted a total of 321/6 on the board, batting at no.5, Klaasen contributed with a 37-ball 39 in the run chase. He took on Kiwi spinners in the middle overs and hit five fours, and one six.
 

Of late, Klaasen has been South Africa’s answer to spinners in the middle overs. Against Australia in the Centurion ODI, he smashed a record-breaking 174. He took Aussie leg-spinner Adam Zampa to the cleaners smashing him for over 50 runs in the innings including several sixes. 
 

Klaasen was in good form for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. His form will be crucial in the World Cup as the batter is capable of not just stitching a partnership but pushing the scoring rate as well. 
 

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