KIMBERLEY: Heinrich Klaasen struck a belligerent 62-ball 80 but it was not enough as the Proteas fell 59 runs short in the third Betway One-Day International (ODI) played at The Oval in Kimberley on Wednesday.

The right-hander, who stepped in as wicketkeeper for the final game after injury ruled out Quinton de Kock, clubbed two sixes and seven fours in his entertaining effort that kept South Africa on course to chase down a mammoth 347 before they ran out of wickets.

The hosts eventually fell to 287 all out, but they had nearly seven full overs still to go thanks to the attacking exploits of Klaasen, who was supported well by Reeza Hendricks (52 off 61 balls, 6 fours), captain Temba Bavuma (35), Aiden Markram (39) and Wayne Parnell (34).

However, a career-best six for 40 by England paceman Jofra Archer proved detrimental and was decisive in the final outcome.

It was nonetheless a courageous pursuit by the Proteas in a match that was effectively a dead-rubber in terms of the series – the home side sewed things up when they went 2-0 up by winning matches one and two – although there was still the bigger picture of World Cup qualification that saw the home side miss out on 10 valuable points.

They remained in ninth place on the ICC World Cup Super League table with two matches against Netherlands still to come later in the season. For now, though, the new white-ball coach Rob Walter will take heart from he saw in the series as the South Africans showed plenty of promise and potential for the future.

They came into match three with back-to-back wins over the world champions in Bloemfontein, and after winning the toss, captain Temba Bavuma opted to bowl first. But after three early strike by their most successful bowler Lungi Ngidi (4/62) that reduced the tourists to 14 for three, they allowed the game to get away from them.

That was thanks to a defining 233-run fourth wicket partnership between England skipper Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan. Both hit centuries with the former, named Player of the Match and Series afterwards, amassing 131 (127 balls, 6 fours, 7 sixes) and the latter recording 118 (114 balls, 7 fours, 6 sixes). Moeen Ali then blazed 41 as the visiting side posted a hefty 346 for seven.

Bavuma and Hendricks gave their side a fair start by putting on 49 for the first wicket, but the loss of the captain and Rassie van der Dussen (5) in quick succession hampered them. Hendricks kept the scoreboard ticking before he was next to go with the score on 112, with Markram also maintaining the run-rate during his brief spell in the middle. His departure, however, was quickly followed by that of the ever-important David Miller (13) and Marco Jansen (12) as the chase appeared to be fizzing out.

But Klaasen and Parnell had other ideas and together added 85 in only 54 deliveries for the seventh wicket. The Proteas appeared to be cruising home at the point, but there was always the risk of no recognised batters to follow, and when Archer broke the stand, the tail folded quickly.

South Africa were eventually bowled out in 43.1 overs allowing their opposition to seal a consolation win.

Proteas ODI squad against England
Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sisanda Magala (DP World Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Janneman Malan (Gbets Rocks), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Dafabet Warriors), Wayne Parnell (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions).

Betway ODI Series against England

Friday, 27 January – 13:00
South Africa beat England by 27 runs – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein

Sunday, 29 January – 10:00
South Africa beat England by five wickets – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein

Wednesday, 01 February – 13:00
South Africa lost to England by 59 runs – The Oval, Kimberley

Kevin Rademeyer
Media Manager
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]