ENG vs SA, World Cup 2023: Heinrich Klaasen's 61-ball hundred guides South Africa to record-breaking win over Newzealand
On Saturday, October 21, South Africa achieved their third-largest World Cup victory by defeating England with a massive margin of 229 runs.
South Africa achieved an impressive total of 399/7, thanks to Heinrich Klaasen's remarkable century off just 61 balls.
The team's pacers continued their excellent performance by bowling out their opponent for a mere 170 runs. The ending world champions also suffered their biggest-ever ODI loss, resulting in a defeat.
Both teams entered the game following surprising upsets in their respective previous games. England won the toss and chose to bowl first at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, making three changes to their playing eleven.
The team welcomed back the fit-again star all-rounder Ben Stokes, who replaced Liam Livingstone. Additionally, David Willey and Gus Atkinson were included in the team, taking the places of Sam Curran and Chris Woakes.
🇿🇦A spirited effort from the Proteas to get a total of 399/7. Heinrich Klaasen with a brilliant display 109 runs 🏏
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 21, 2023
🏴England will need 400 to win #CWC23 #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/2OsM7qz0gP
Reeza Hendricks has been named as the replacement for captain Temba Bavuma, marking the only forced change for the Proteas.
South Africa suffered an early setback when their in-form opener Quinton de Kock was dismissed for just four runs in the first over by Reece Topley.
However, despite this advantage, the Three Lions were unable to make the most of the situation.
Rassie van der Dussen and Reeza, who are both top-ranked players, contributed 121 runs for the second wicket, ensuring that South Africa remained on course for a substantial total.
Reeza demonstrated his skills by scoring 85 runs off 75 balls, while van der Dussen contributed 60 runs to the team's total.
England attempted a comeback by taking crucial wickets of Aiden Markram and David Miller, but unfortunately, they were unable to build any momentum.
The Proteas achieved a high finish thanks to an impressive partnership between Klaasen and Jansen, who recorded a 151-run stand for the sixth wicket in the final 14 overs.
Klaasen achieved his first-ever World Cup century in an impressive 61 balls, scoring a total of 109 runs.
Jansen also had a remarkable performance, achieving his first ODI fifty by smashing an unbeaten 75 runs off just 42 balls. In Mumbai, Topley was able to take three wickets, while Atkinson and Adil Rashid each picked up two wickets for England. Their spells proved to be quite costly.
England once again struggled to make a positive start and appeared lacking in confidence under the pressure of a significant target.
Lungi Ngidi provided South Africa with a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Baristow in the third over, while Jansen managed to take Joe Root's important wicket in the following over.
Dawid Malan scored just six runs, while Kagiso Rabada dismissed the returning Stokes for only five runs.
Gerald Coetzee took three wickets, resulting in England losing a total of eight wickets with only 100 runs on the scoreboard.
Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson showcased an explosive 70-run partnership for the ninth wicket, achieving this feat in a mere 33 balls. Their remarkable performance prevented their opponents from securing the largest-ever victory in a World Cup match.
South Africa Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
England Playing XI: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c & wk), David Willey, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Reece Topley