Heinrich Klaasen's whirlwind ODI century helped South Africa level the three-ODI series in style with a four-wicket win at Senwes Park, Potchesfstroom. Klaasen smashed an unbeaten 61-ball 119 to guide Proteas to victory with 123 balls to spare in the absence of an injured Temba Bavuma. Klaasen reached his second ODI century from just 54 deliveries. It is the fourth-fastest ODI century for a South Africa batter.
“Pretty good wicket, probably one of my better knocks and am really proud of it. We were trying to play conditions and not the situations, conditions were fantastic today. Took Joseph on today and it was my day today. The conditions dictate how aggressive you can play and conditions were great today,” Klaasen said in the post-match presentation.
“Test cricket is hard, I ponder every time I make a mistake. I never doubt myself, I was hitting the ball well in the nets and I calmed everything down; the confidence stays up. I'm riding the wave at the moment and would like to keep it going. Always a good feeling to get the team over the line, very pleased to play a knock like this,” the middle-order batter added.
In the run chase of 261, South Africa lost wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton (3) early to Alzarri Joseph. In his first spell, Joseph struck again to dismiss Rassie van der Dussen (14) after getting hit for consecutive boundaries. Stand-in skipper Aiden Markram got off to a decent start but nicked one to wicketkeeper Shai Hope off Kyle Mayers' bowling. In the 13th over, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein trapped Tony de Zorzi (21) in front of the stumps to reduce hosts for 87/4.
Klaasen started off well and David Miller attacked from the start as well. Miller hit two big sixes but became Hosein's second victim of the day after scoring a run-a-ball 17. Klaasen was not affected by Miller's wicket. He reached his half-century from just 30 balls. Marco Jansen played positively took on Yannic Cariah. Klaasen took on Hosein in the 25th over with two big sixes. In the 27th over, he got to his century from 54 deliveries.
Jansen was in a hurry to finish off the run chase. He missed his maiden ODI half-century. Joseph returned into the attack and dismissed him. Jansen scored 43 off 33 balls including five fours and two sixes. Klaasen took on Carriah and hit him for one six and two fours to finish off the run chase with 20.3 overs to spare. He remained unbeaten for 119 off 61 deliveries including 15 fours and five sixes.
Earlier, Markram won the toss and opted to field first. The visitors got off to a good start with Brandon King attacking from one end. Mayers got dismissed by Jansen whereas Shamarh Brooks (18) got run out. King scored a run-a-ball 72 before getting bowled by Lungi Ngidi. Skipper Shai Hope struggled to score and became Bjorn Fortuin's victim. Fortuin then got Rovman Powell's wicket for a single-digit score. Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder tried to stitch together a partnership. Jansen returned to dismiss Pooran (39). Gerald Coetzee got rid of Cariah (6) and Hosein (14) whereas Markram introduced himself to dismiss Holder (36). Wayne Parnell wrapped up West Indies' innings with Odean Smith’s (17) wicket as they got all out for 260 with 10 balls left in the innings.
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