South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen blasted a ruthless 174 from 83 deliveries as the Proteas thrashed Australia by 164 runs in the fourth ODI at SuperSport Park.
Klaasen and David Miller (82 from 45 balls not out) bludgeoned Australia’s clueless bowlers on Friday, combining for a 222-run partnership for the fifth wicket as South Africa registered 5-416 from their 50 overs, a venue record.
It was South Africa‘s second-highest team total against Australia in ODIs, while leg-spinner Adam Zampa finished with 0-113, equalling the worst bowling figures in ODI history.
MATCH CENTRE: South Africa vs Australia fourth ODI scorecard
“That’s the definition of a tough day at the office,” Australian captain Mitchell Marsh said in the post-match presentation.
“Klaasen was amazing today … it must have been incredible viewing on TV.”
In response, Australia was rolled for 252 in less than 35 overs, with Proteas quicks Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada steaming through Australia’s middle order.
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey top-scored with 99 (77), falling agonisingly short of a second ODI century, while opener Travis Head fractured his left hand, retiring hurt for 17. The South Australian’s availability in the World Cup is yet to be determined.
“He‘s going to go in for some more scans tomorrow to work out the detail of (the injury) and then we’ll work out the management from there,” Australian coach Andrew McDonald explained to reporters in the post-match press conference.
”How long that (recovery) time frame is, we’re yet to determine that.”
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Worst bowling figures in men’s ODIs
0-113 – Mick Lewis (AUS) vs RSA, 2006
0-113 – Adam Zampa (AUS) vs RSA, 2023
0-110 – Wahab Riaz (PAK) vs ENG, 2016
0-110 – Rashid Khan (AFG) vs ENG, 2019
0-108 – Philippe Boissevain (NED) vs ENG, 2022
After Marsh won the toss and elected to field first, opener Reeza Hendricks and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock combined for a patient opening partnership of 64 before Tasmanian quick Nathan Ellis struck in the 13th over, knocking over Hendricks with an absolute peach for 28 (34).
De Kock departed for 45 (64) after a reckless slog against Josh Hazlewood before Queensland seamer Michael Neser, making his first ODI appearance in more than five years, removed Proteas captain Aiden Markram for 8.
Rassie van der Dussen cracked a half-century before becoming Hazlewood’s second victim in the 35th over, edging behind for 62 (65), but it was all one-way traffic from there on.
In a ferocious assault, Klaasen and Miller clobbered Australia’s hapless bowlers to all corners of SuperSport Park, scoring at 14.47 runs per over throughout their double-century partnership.
Klaasen struck 13 boundaries and 13 sixes in a career-best performance at his home ground, finishing with the second-highest individual score for a batter playing at No. 5 or lower in ODIs. The 32-year-old reached triple figures in just 57 deliveries, and he only needed a further 20 balls to pass 150.
The Australians were completely frazzled, with Hazlewood and Zampa finished with their most expensive ODI figures. Meanwhile, it marked just the third time Australia has conceded more than 400 in the 50-over format.
The South Africans scored 173 from the final ten overs, an ODI record, with Marcus Stoinis dismissing Klaasen on the final delivery of the innings, a consolation wicket after conceding 59 runs from his previous 17 balls.
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“It’s incredible. I had a shocker of a day the other day in Potch, so it‘s lucky to bounce back immediately and play an innings like that,” Klaasen said during the innings break.
“It‘s definitely up there as one of my better ones.
“To do it for my country on this venue, it‘s an unbelievable feeling. With my family and everyone here, it means even more.”
Australia’s run chase got off to a horror start, with Ngidi knocking over veteran opener David Warner and Marsh in the opening five overs.
However, the more damaging blow came in the seventh over – Proteas seamer Gerald Coetzee struck Head on the gloves with a nasty riser, forcing the left-hander to retire hurt and leave the venue for scans.
Marnus Labuschagne and Stoinis both gloved short balls through to the wicketkeeper before Carey and Tim David (35 from 25 balls) steadied the ship with a 72-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
However, David’s dismissal in the 24th over sparked a collapse of 5-67, with Carey the final player to depart after gloving a Rabada bouncer through to de Kock, who claimed a superb one-handed catch.
Carey, who struck nine boundaries and four sixes, was the only Australian batter who survived more than 25 deliveries.
“A real shame he couldn’t get the hundred,” Marsh continued.
“Would’ve been nice to see him get that, but he batted really well.”
With the series poised at 2-2, the fifth and final ODI between South Africa and Australia gets underway at Wanderers on Sunday, with the first ball scheduled for 6pm AEST.
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