Staff Reporter.
Heinrich Klaasen’s dashing hundred helped set the Proteas up for a big 107-run win over the England Lions in their second and final warm-up match at New Road in Worcester on Thursday.
The right-hander blasted five sixes and nine fours in an 85-ball 123, his fifth List A ton, as South Africa posted 360 for seven after winning the toss and batting.
Klaasen shared in a stellar 149-run sixth wicket partnership with the impressive Andile Phehlukwayo, who himself scored a rapid 67 off 53 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes), after their side had fallen to 167 for five at one point.
“I’m quite happy with my game at the moment,” the centurion said afterwards. “Hopefully I can continue riding the wave. I’m really satisfied with the way in which I’ve been striking the ball. It’s just about staying in the game and taking each ball as it comes.”
That partnership with Phehlukwayo, together with 61 off 52 balls (7 fours, 1 six) by Rassie van der Dussen, led to a booming total for the tourists and they defended it admirably thanks to the bowlers, who all chipped in with wickets to restrict the Lions to 253 all out in 38.2 overs.
Stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj grabbed two wickets in the first five deliveries with his spin – finishing with2-32 in seven overs – and there were also doubles for Lungi Ngidi (2-39) and Anrich Nortje (2-63).
Another spinner Tabraiz Shamsi was the pick of the bowlers collecting three for 66 and allrounder Phehlukwayo was also among the wickets with one for 49.
It sealed a good win for the Proteas in what was their last warm-up game before their three-match one-day international (ODI) series against England commences next Tuesday (19 July).
South Africa had lost the opening fixture against the same opponents, although that game was more of a practice run out in which they were allowed to use the entire touring squad.
“I think the guys can take a lot of confidence from this game,” Klaasen added. “They (England) were kind enough to give us two very good wickets to bat on, so I think the batters will be smiling going into the series.
“The bowlers today were a lot better than the first game, so I think the team will take a lot of confidence out of this.”