Heinrich Klaasen's five memorable batting performances for South Africa in white-ball cricket - T20Is and ODIS
The earnest wicketkeeper-batter has been a game-changer for his team whenever given an opportunity.
As far as wicketkeeper-batters go, the name of Heinrich Klassen often goes missing from the best-of-lot debates. Klassen, for too long a backup to South Africa's mainstay Quinton de Kock, has been flying under the radar despite some notable contributions to the team.
Often part of the South African first XI only on a stop-gap arrangement following an injury to De Kock or someone else, Klassen quietly walks into the side and plays impactful knocks that help Proteas dominate their opposition.
In his career, the 30-year-old has had multiple such performances under his belt, with nearly all of them allowing his team to overhaul the opposition. Enlisted below are five such knocks with the bat from Heinrich Klassen.
Five of the best knocks from Heinrich Klaasen
43* off 27 vs India - Johannesburg ODI 2018
This was the knock that truly kicked off Heinrich Klaasen's ODI career for South Africa. In a low-scoring rain-marred fixture played at the iconic Jo'burg ground against India, Klassen played a match-winning knock of an unbeaten 43, looking the most in-control Proteas batter against the visitors' lethal spin twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. Klaasen helped South Africa come out triumphant for the only time in an otherwise disappointing 5-1 series defeat at home.
123* off 114 vs Australia - Paarl ODI, 2020
It took time coming but Klaasen finally struck his maiden white-ball century during a home ODI series against Australia just before the world of sports was wrecked by the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020. Walking into a difficult situation with the hosts struggling at 48/3, Klaasen smashed the Australians for a superb 123 not out. His knock took the Proteas to a stiff-looking 291/7 and enabled their win by 74 runs in Paarl.
Also Read: SA vs AUS, 1st ODI: Klaasen century sets up South Africa win over Australia
68* off 63 vs Australia - Poschefstroom ODI, 2020
Another game against Australia where Heinrich Klassen reinforced his class and made a match-winning impact came earlier in the series. Chasing 255, the hosts found themselves in a bit of a spot at 3 for 150 in the 28th over when Klaasen arrived to the crease. He produced a freeflowing knock of 68*, which put all the pressure back on the Aussies. Stitching a terrific stand with David Miller, the explosive right-hander took the South Africans home.
66 off 33 vs England - Centurion T20I, 2020
It was an innings so good it deserved to end in a South African win, too, but didn't because of a poor bowling effort by the Proteas. Nevertheless, we recognise Klassen's brilliant 66 off 33 balls in the third T20I of the series against England at home back in 2020 in Centurion. He blasted the tourists to all corners for an innings glint with 4 fours and 4 sixes and allowed the hosts to post a gigantic score of 222/6.
81 off 46 vs India - Cuttack T20I, 2022
The best of the lot is the most recent of the lot, as Heinrich Klassen smashed the Indian attack again for match-winning knock in a challenging situation. In a tricky chase of 149 runs on a dry surface in Cuttack, the tourists found themselves 3 for 29 when Klaasen arrived to the crease.
The right-hander simply dominated the Indian spinners, including prominent wristspinner Yuzvendra Chahal, for his high-class 81 off just 46 deliveries. It was a knock that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for the Proteas and pushed them to a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.