Heinrich Klaasen rewrites ODI record books with 174 versus Australia
South African dasher Heinrich Klaasen shattered a flurry of records with a fiery knock against Australia in the fourth ODI in Centurion. He scored 174 off just 83 balls, a knock laced with 13 boundaries and as many sixes. This was his second-fastest century in ODIs as he reached the milestone off just 57 balls. Here are his stats.
A fiery knock from Klaasen
Klaasen arrived at number five with the scorecard reading 120/3. He joined forces with Rassie van der Dussen (62) and the duo added 74 runs for the fourth wicket in quick time. Klaasen then recorded a fiery double-century stand with David Miller (82*) as the former toyed with the Aussie bowlers after crossing the 50-run mark. His brilliance meant SA finished at 416/5.
Second-fastest ton for Klaasen
As mentioned, this was Klaasen's second-fastest ODI ton as earlier this year, he reached the three-figure mark off just 54 balls against West Indies. He, hence, owns the fourth-fastest ODI ton by a SA batter. AB de Villiers has smashed the fastest and the third fastest ton in 31 and 52 balls, respectively, for SA. Mark Boucher (44 balls) occupies the second spot.
Here are his overall stats
Playing his 40th ODI, Klaasen has raced to 1,317 runs at an impressive average of 42.48. His strike rate in the format reads 11.2.37. Besides three tons, he owns five fifties. In 2023, he has completed 513 ODI runs at an average and strike rate of 73.28 and 154.51, respectively. Two of his three ODI tons have come this year.
Second-highest at number five or lower
As per Cricbuzz, Klaasen's 174 is now the second-highest score by a player batting at number five or lower in ODIs. He is now only behind Indian legend Kapil Dev (175* versus Zimbabwe, 1983). Klaasen became only the second SA batter after De Villiers (162* versus WI, 2015) to score 150 or more in an ODI innings while batting at number five or lower.
Second ODI ton against Australia
This was his second ODI ton against the Aussies. He has raced to 496 runs in 10 ODIs against Australia at 70.85 with his strike rate being 126.20 (50s: 2). Notably, Klaasen now owns the third-highest ODI score by an SA batter against the Aussies. Quinton de Kock (178) and Herschelle Gibbs (175) are ahead of him in this regard.
Historic partnership with Miller
Klaasen and Miller added 222 runs for the fifth wicket. They became the second SA pair to record a double-century partnership for the fifth wicket or lower. Back in 2015, Miller added 256* runs with JP Duminy for the fifth wicket against Zimbabwe in Hamilton.
13 sixes in the innings
As mentioned, Klaasen smoked 13 sixes in the game. Among SA batters, only De Villiers (16 versus WI, 2015) has smoked more sixes in an ODI innings. Meanwhile, only India's Rohit Sharma (16 in 2013) has smashed more sixes in an ODI innings against Australia.
