It was pure carnage at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on March 21 (Tuesday) as South Africa's swashbuckling right-handed batter Heinrich Klaasen trounced the West Indies bowling attack in Proteas' four-wicket win in the third ODI. The 31-year-old smashed the fourth-fastest century for South Africa in ODI cricket as Aiden Markram's men chased down the target of 261 runs in just 29.3 overs. With his side in all sorts of trouble, Klaasen counter-attacked in a stunning manner that left no place for West Indies' bowlers to hide.
Klaasen came to bat at No.5 when the team was tottering at 73/3 and even with wickets tumbling at the other end, the explosive batter didn't stop playing his natural game. In what will go down as one of the best ODI knocks of all time, Klaasen brought up his century in just 54 balls before winning South Africa the game. The right-handed batter remained unbeaten on 119 runs off 61 balls and during his pulverising knock, he smashed 15 fours and five sixes.
After reaching the three-figure mark, Klaasen punched his bat in delight and soaked in the resounding applause from teammates in the dressing room and the fans watching the game from the stands.
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After his match-winning knock, Klaasen reflected on his mercurial effort with the bat and rated his knock against West Indies as one of the best.Â
“Pretty good wicket, probably one of my better knocks and (I) am really proud of it. We were trying to play conditions and not the situations, conditions were fantastic today. Took (Alzarri) Joseph on today and it was my day today. The conditions dictate how agressive you can play and conditions were great today,” Klaasen told host broadcasters after the game.Â
“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,” he added.
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Fastest ODI centuries for South Africa:
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AB de Villiers: 31 balls vs West Indies in Johannesburg (2015)
Mark Boucher: 44 balls vs Zimbabwe in Potchefstroom (2006)
AB de Villiers: 52 balls vs West Indies in Sydney (2015)
Heinrich Klaasen: 54 balls vs West Indies in Potchefstroom (2023)
AB de Villiers: 57 balls vs India in Mumbai (2015)
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