'Super' Klaasen back for Proteas

Proteas coach Rob Walter says Heinrich Klaasen is available for their last Champions Trophy group match against England in Karachi on Saturday.

The wicketkeeper-batsman missed their opening match against Afghanistan due to an elbow injury.

Batting at No 4, Klaasen has been the accumulator and aggressor for South Africa in white-ball cricket and remains key to their title goals.

“I mean he’s a super player isn’t he?” said Walter on Friday. “And I think that you probably notice his strength also based on who the guys are around him that allow him to play that way.

“Obviously he’s got a skill-set at the moment that is right up there with the world’s best, I think we all agree with that. And it’s great to have him in your team because you know how destructive he can be.”

Australian players about Heinrich klaasen
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The sides face off with South Africa still in contention to reach the semi-finals of the 50-over tournament, while England are already out.

A win will take the Proteas to the last four but defeat will make them depend on others and net run-rate.

South Africa hammered Afghanistan but their second match against Australia was washed out without a ball being bowled.

They now take on an England team severely bruised and their captain Jos Buttler under pressure to relinquish the white-ball leadership.

“League cricket around the world, they do well, which should suggest that they’re adaptable,” Walter said. “If you look at the names on the sheet, I think there’s some quality players there. There’s no doubt about that.

“Cricket can be fickle and sometimes that results in you losing. To ask if I’m surprised – as I said I think there’s good cricketers that could turn out tomorrow and deliver an international standard performance.”

Buttler has been unable to replicate England’s success as ODI and T20I captain since he led them to a T20 World Cup title in 2022.

England won only three of their nine matches as defending champions at the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.

They faltered in the semi-final of last year’s T20 World Cup and recently suffered a 3-0 ODI whitewash in India before the Champions Trophy

Pressed further on what needs to be done to stem England’s rot, Walter, said: “What I’ve learned in times, you can never judge what’s happening with a team unless you’re actually walking in the shoes of the people that are on the ground with the team.

“I think there are good people there who have done good things in cricket, working with good players, and I would suggest it’s only a matter of time before they find success.”