Reeza Hendricks says the Proteas’ record T20I run chase against the West Indies in Centurion on Sunday was similar to the famous 438 ODI.
South Africa reached their target of 259 with seven balls to spare, thanks mainly to an incredible opening partnership of 152 between Quinton de Kock (100 off 44 balls) and Hendricks (68 off 28) in 10.5 overs.
The two also set a new powerplay record in a T20I involving two full-member ICC nations by scoring 102 in the first six overs of the innings.
The West Indies had earlier posted 258-5, with Johnson Charles hitting 118 off 46 balls.
HIGHLIGHTS: Proteas vs West Indies (2nd T20I)
“It’s definitely one of the greatest T20s to have ever been a part of. I’m probably not the only one with this opinion, but it’s probably a T20 equivalent to the famous 438 game,” said Hendricks, referring to the ODI at the Wanderers in 2006 when the Proteas made 438-9 in reply to Australia’s 434-4.
“As a youngster, I eagerly watched how the team then went about chasing that total, and now, being involved with this team, the way we ourselves went about getting 259 felt familiar to me.
“We all in the dressing room believe there are definite similarities to the 438 game. We all feel very privileged.”
Before the Proteas’ 438 run chase, Jacques Kallis famously quipped that Australia were “10 to 15 runs short”, which helped to lighten the mood in the hosts’ changeroom.
“Funnily enough, KG said they’re 10 runs short when we went off the field, which probably is similar to what Jacques did for the team,” said Hendricks.
“We then managed to get over the line and play this incredible game.”
Highest successful T20I run chases:
259/4 (18.5 overs): South Africa vs West Indies, Centurion, 26 March 2023
246/4 (19.4 overs): Bulgaria vs Serbia, Sofia, 26 June 2022
245/5 (18.5 overs): Australia vs New Zealand, Auckland, 16 February 2018
236/6 (19.2 overs): West Indies vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 11 January 2015
230/8 (19.4 overs): England vs South Africa, Mumbai, 18 March 2016
229/4 (19.3 overs): Bulgaria vs Serbia, Sofia, 24 June 2022
226/5 (19.1 overs): England vs South Africa, Centurion, 16 February 2020
215/5 (19.4 overs): Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 10 March 2018
212/3 (19.1 overs): South Africa vs India, Delhi, 9 June 2022
211/4 (19.1 overs): India vs Sri Lanka, Mohali, 12 December 2009
211/6 (19.2 overs): Australia vs India, Mohali, 20 September 2022
