• Klaasen powers Proteas to massive total

    Published on

    Heinrich Klaasen slammed 174 off 83 balls to lead a Proteas’ batting assault against Australia in the fourth ODI in Centurion on Friday.

    Klaasen shared an extraordinary fifth-wicket partnership of 222 off only 94 balls with David Miller (82*) as South Africa piled up 416-5, their fifth-highest total in ODIs.

    Klaasen struck 13 fours and 13 sixes before being caught on the boundary off the last ball of the innings.

    A run spree of such magnitude did not seem likely as accurate Australian bowling and a slower than usual Centurion pitch saw South Africa make relatively sedate progress on a ground known for high scoring.

    At the second drinks break, the total was 157-3 off 32 overs.

    The acceleration started with a stand of 74 off 57 balls between Rassie van der Dussen (62) and Klaasen.

    It went into over-drive when the left-handed Miller joined Klaasen and hit the second ball he faced, from leg-spinner Adam Zampa, for six.

    Miller’s 82* came from 45 balls and included five sixes and six fours.

    Zampa was hammered for 113 runs off his 10 overs, Marcus Stoinis conceded 81 runs and Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Ellis went for 79 apiece.

    It is a must-win game for the Proteas, with Australia leading the five-match series 2-1.

    © Agence France-Presse

    Post by

    Simon Borchardt