In an exclusive conversation with Rupha Ramani on the latest episode of the First Sports show, South African batter Heinrich Klaasen opened up on his memorable 174 against Australia that sent out a warning to bowlers in the build-up to the ICC World Cup.
Klaasen smashed a whirlwind 174 off just 83 deliveries with a strike rate of over 200, powering South Africa towards a match-winning total in the fourth ODI against Australia at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. His knock was a masterclass in acceleration, with Proteas posting 416/5 on the board after taking a little over 35 overs to cross the 200-mark.
Klaasen revealed he started off on a patient note, and shifted gears once the Aussie bowlers started to unravel towards the business end of the South African innings.
“It was a good wicket. I remember telling Aiden that it looks like a batting first wicket. I’ve seen those type of wickets before at SuperSport Park. It just looks so good that you actually want to bat second with the history and stuff. But playing there, I said to Aiden ‘this is a proper bat-first wicket today’, and he just laughed,” Klaasen said on the Mic Up segment of the show.
“I’ve played a lot of games there, and it’s just that feeling in the air that the ball is travelling today, the wicket is extremely good and it’s just getting better and better as we bat. And then they just start losing their lengths and lines when we put pressure on them. I just remember telling myself like ‘try and hit every ball for a six yeah’.
“It’s one of those days everything just went my way, and it’s an innings you dream about when you’re in bed and wish to play those innings,” added the 32-year-old, who’s part of the South African squad that’s currently taking part in the World Cup in India.
Australia were bowled out for 252 in reply, resulting in South Africa leveling the five-match series 2-2 heading into the series decider in Johannesburg. They would later complete an emphatic series win from 0-2 down with a 122-run victory at the Bullring, underlining their potential to finish among the World Cup top four with the victory.
When asked about his favourite batting partner, Klaasen named middle-order specialist David Miller. Klaasen and Miller had shared a fiery 222-run stand for the fifth wicket in the high-scoring fourth ODI in Centurion, the pair consuming just 92 deliveries along the way.
“Best one is David Miller. I reckon he’s quite good. We know our game very well and he’s normally a guy that at the start of my career kept me very calm and guided me through the process, and it’s just incredible to bat with him,” added Klaasen.
Watch the full episode here:
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