• Klaasen’s ton steers Proteas to 291

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    Australia will have to chase down 292 for victory in the first ODI against South Africa after a brilliant maiden ODI century by Heinrich Klaasen helped the Proteas post a respectable 291-7 in their 50 overs, writes ANDRE HUISAMEN.

    Quinton de Kock won the toss at the start of play at Boland Park in Paarl and decided to capitalise on the warm conditions in the winelands by batting first.

    Cobras duo Janneman Malan and Kyle Verreynne were selected in the starting XI for their debuts, while Marnus Labuschagne, D’Arcy Shot and Josh Hazelwood were added to the Australia team.

    READ: Duminy trusts De Kock’s captaincy

    Malan’s debut was all but over with the very first delivery, though, when a perfect in-swinger by Mitchell Starc struck the right-hander on the toe, plum in front as he departed for a golden duck.

    De Kock and Temba Bavuma regrouped by finding a few boundaries before the captain nicked one from Josh Hazelwood to Alex Carey behind the stumps for 15.

    Bavuma looked in excellent form but his resilience ended when he played a Pat Cummins delivery on to his own stumps, departing for 26 as the Proteas slumped to 50-3 after 10 overs.

    ALSO READ: Marnus: I’ve still got a bit of Afrikaans

    Verreynne and Heinrich Klaasen consolidated the Proteas innings by reaching a much-needed 50-run stand but the debutant lost his focus at a critical time when he pulled Cummins straight to Mitchell Marsh at square leg for 48.

    But, Klaasen kicked on nicely to reach his half-century as the Proteas moved past the 150-run mark after 30 overs.

    A 50-run partnership between himself and David Miller set the Proteas up for a strong finish in the final ten overs.

    The pair started to score freely around the ground and brought up a hard-fought century stand for the sixth wicket with a couple of big blows.

    Miller then got to his half-century off 77 deliveries with the hosts reaching 246-4 with five overs to spare.

    Klaasen kept his nerve and ticked on to his maiden ODI century off only 105 balls as the whole Boland Park raised to applaud his brilliant efforts.

    Cummins then finally brought an end to the 149-run partnership when Miller was caught behind by Carey for 64.

    The Australian then ran out Andile Phehlukwayo two balls later with a great piece of fielding.

    Starc clean bowled Keshav Maharaj for two in the final over but Klaasen saw out the innings to finish unbeaten on 123 off 114 deliveries.

    South Africa: Quinton de Kock (c, wk), Janneman Malan, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi.

    Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), D’Arcy Short, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazelwood.

    Scorecard

    Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

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    Andre Huisamen