This is the story of the clean sweep of Australia by Proteas last month. The guy who is much talked about in the Proteas' nest is the new powerhouse lightening,Henreich klassen who made a debut in 2018, and before this series,he played his last match in February 2019 . Since then, he didn't play international cricket. And the reason behind this is his average record on papers that doesn't really reflect his talent.
At last, the man returned to form after a long span of one year. Meanwhile the man was well prepared for the battle against Australia who were full in confidence with their key players like Steve Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and the young man Marnus Labuschagne who is in tremendous form.
Klassen started with the bang, hit a century in
the first ODI match 123 not out off 114 deliveries leading proteas to a victory in the first ODI against Australia.
At first,3 wickets were down for 48, then klassen with the debutant Kyle verreynne shared a partnership of 78 for the 4th wicket where Verreynne scored 48 off 64 deliveries.
After that, South Africa took total control with the David Miller, the experienced one, hitting 64 and south Africa scored a handsome total of 291 for 7 at the ground of Boland park,Paarl
Spinner Keshav Maharaj, also returned to the form . Although, Australia were trying hard to negotiate but after the fall of the wicket of Steve Smith, who scored 76 and Marnus Labuschagne,all hopes were lost and South Africa won by a vast margin of 74 runs.
Anyways , in the second match,the debutant of the previous match, Janneman Malan,it was his turn to hit a century. Skipper de kock was out, clean bowled in the first over by Mitchell Starc while chasing 272 to win in 50 Overs.Then Janneman Malan hit 129 not out off 139 deliveries as an opener, carrying the bat till the end of the match. Here also, klassen with a superb quality,hits 51 at the ground of Mangung oval, Blomfontein. Malan's hundred was in his second match of his career. As in bowlers unit, Ngidi took 6 for 58 as his career best figures.
At last, Australia regained consciousness and Marnus Labuschagne scored a handsome century of run a ball but he did not get a proper help from the other end.So Australia ended up with 254/7
This time,Jon Jon SMUTS from south Africa made an All round performance by taking 2 wickets and hitting 84 at Potscehfroom, leading Proteas beat Australia by six wickets with 4.3 overs remaining. Here also klassen didn't stop at all hitting 68 off 63 balls not out.
Hence, Henreich klassen was awarded the prestigious Man of the Series award for the first time in his career.And South Africa beat Australia by clean sweep second time continuously. During the last 12 matches between the two teams, Australia and South Africa, South Africa team has been winning in
11 out of those matches.
Author - Saravjeet Singh Taneja
DATE-27 April 2020