SA vs WI: Heinrich Klaasen masterclass spoils Caribbean party to level series
After losing the second ODI of the series against West Indies, the Aiden Markram-led side was determined to win the third match and eventually did it in style. The team faced a lot of difficulties in achieving their target as they lost wickets regulary. But, in the end, everything looked easy as the Proteas defeated West Indies by five wickets.
Batting first, West Indies had a poor start, losing three quick wickets of Kyle Mayers (14 runs off 22 deliveries). Shamarh Brooks (18 runs off 24 deliveries) and Shai Hope (16 runs off 27 deliveries) also departed without an impact. However, opener Brandon King held his nerves and stabilised the situation along with former skipper Nicholas Pooran.
King showed a lot of composure in the middle as the 28-year-old scored 72 runs off 72 deliveries. Nicholas Pooran on the other hand scored 39 off 41 deliveries. Later, all-rounder Jason Holder played an important knock of 36 off 43 deliveries. Courtesy of these contributions, West Indies posted 260 runs on board after the first innings.
Notably, South Africa were phenomenal with the ball. In the absence of experience pacers like Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, the youngsters stepped up as Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee picked up two wickets each.
However, when it comes to their batting, South Africa too had a relatively poor start. They lost four wickets within 13 overs and things were not looking easy for them in the middle. However, the introduction of Heinrich Klaasen absolutely changed the complexion of the game.
The 31-year-old ran havoc in the middle, scoring 119* runs off just 61 deliveries. South Africa chased the total down within 30 overs. Notably, Marco Jansen (43 runs off 33 deliveries) supported him well in the middle as South Africa made an emphatic return to end the series on level terms.
Now courtesy of his blistering innings, Klaasen was adjudged as the player of the match. In the post-match interaction, he revealed that the wicket was great to bat and is very proud of his innings.
