ISLAMABAD: Top and middle order batters including Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, and Heinrich Klaasen drew South Africa to a fighting total of 399 runs in the ICC contest being played at Mumbai on Saturday.
Despite losing the first wicket of inform Quinton de Kock earlier, the proteas batters managed to provide a solid start, and at the end, it was Klaasen who not only smashed a flying hundred but outclassed English bowlers while managing to score over 12 runs per over in the last 10 overs.
After winning the toss, England invited South Africa to bat first. The English bowler Reece Tolpay managed to remove De Kock in the first over on just 1 run. De Kock was replaced by Rassie van der Dussen who along with Reeza Hendricks, consolidated the inning and drove it beyond 100 runs in the first 16 overs. Both also completed their half-centuries and put 121 runs partnership for the side.
In the over-number 20 leg spinner, Rashid removed Dussen on 60 when the total reached 125. He was replaced by the skipper Aiden Markram who along with Hendricks, further accelerated the inning. However, in the 26th over, Rashid got his second wicket and removed the set batsman Hendricks. He scored 85 runs while facing 75 balls. His inning included 3 sixes and 9 boundaries. He was replaced by Heinrich Klaasen.
In the 37th over, Topley dismissed the skipper Markram on 42; however, Klaasen managed to control the other hand and produced some brilliant shots towards the boundary. Klaasen also completed his half-century and took South Africa towards a fighting total. In the 37th over, Topley struck again and removed David Miller on 5 to create a little pressure.
At the stage, South Africa was at 243 for the loss of 5 in the 37th over. However, on the other hand Klaasen continued to add crucial runs for the side. He completed his brilliant century. He was also fully supported by Jansen who completed his half century. Both the batters added over 130 runs in the last ten overs to the total. Both contributed 151 runs partnership for the side and took the inning close to 400 runs.
In the 50th over, Atkinson removed Klassen on 109, but till than, the damage has been done. Klaasen inning included 4 sixes and 12 boundaries. Meanwhile, Number 7 batter Jansen scored a superb unbeaten 75 runs on 42 balls. In the 50 over, South Africa scored 399 for the last of 7 wickets.
From England, Reece Toplay was the most successful bowler, taking 3 wickets in his 10-over spill, while Adil Rashid and Atkinson got two wickets each.
England Team
Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c)†, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood and Reece Topley
South Africa team
Quinton de Kock †, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi
