SA’s Pink ODI hero could not even get tickets for match
TWO weeks ago Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen could not get tickets for the Pink One Day International but, as fate would have it‚ he turned out to be the hero in a five-wicket win for South Africa against India at the Bullring on Saturday.
Klaasen delivered a delightful and unbeaten knock of 43 from 27 balls‚ which included five boundaries and one maximum.
It was a much-needed triumph for South Africa, the first in the ODI series against a spirited India.
South Africa took the series to 3-1 with two matches remaining – in Port Elizabeth tomorrow and then in Centurion on Friday.
As the Proteas successfully chased down a rain-curtailed target of 202‚ Klaasen shared a match-winning partnership of 72 with David Miller (39) – and an unbeaten 33 with Andile Phehlukwayo (23).
Klaasen had replaced injured Quinton de Kock in the Proteas side.
“It was an unbelievable experience and something I have always dreamt of‚” Klaasen said with a big smile. The now better-known Titans player said he had never played in front of such a lively crowd before.
“I just said to Aiden Markram earlier that two weeks ago I told my missus that I don’t have tickets for the game – and now this. “The crowd was unbelievable. “I have never experienced something like this before – there were some stages in the game where the crowd just went ballistic.
“I couldn’t hear any nicks or stuff like that‚ but it was an unbelievable vibe.”
Having lost the opening three matches, the Proteas went into this Pink Day ODI under pressure – and Klaasen said the victory was a massive confidence booster for the squad going into the last two matches.
“It is definitely a massive confidence booster for us – and I am not saying that we did not have the confidence‚” he said.
“To have the win under our belts has lifted the spirit and the belief in the change room and it is also nice to have a guy like AB [De Villiers] back with us because the environment changes.
“He has a huge influence in the change room and we are proud to keep the unbeaten Pink ODI record intact.”
Personally‚ Klaasen said he was happy with the contribution and he takes confidence from the experience going forward. “It means the world of confidence to me. “I spoke to our spinning coach, Claude Henderson, and said I just wanted that first knock out of the way to settle the nerves.
“Just like last season, on the domestic front‚ I wanted to get the first knock out the way in four-day cricket –– and settle down.
“I know I can play at this level and this performance means the world to me.
“It is better than scoring a hundred or anything like,” the Proteas batsman said.
“I am very happy that I helped my country to win an important game of cricket.”