Paarl: Heinrich Klaasen's maiden international ton guided South Africa to a 74-run win against Australia in the first One-Day-International of three-match series here at Boland Park on Saturday.
Klaasen smashed unbeaten 123 that helped South Africa post 291 for seven on the board. Australia's chase was derailed midway through their innings when they lost seven wickets for 43 runs to be bowled out for 217.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne built an 84-run third-wicket partnership for Australia after the early loss of opening batsman Aaron Finch and David Warner, both dismissed by Lungi Ngidi, who finished with three for 30.
Smith (76) and Labuschagne (41) hit only three boundaries between them as scoring proved difficult on a slow pitch and a big outfield.
When they tried to accelerate the innings Labuschagne was caught at long-on off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.
Mitchell Marsh helped Smith add 41 for the fourth wicket but Marsh was bowled by Ngidi and three balls later Smith was trapped leg before wicket by Anrich Nortje.
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🇿🇦 Bag the first win of the series
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 29, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
Great performance from the boys to seal a 7⃣4⃣ run victory over🇦🇺
Klaasen crucial 💯ensures 🇿🇦 post a competitive total
Ngidi the pick of bowler 3⃣ wickets
Verreynne had an incredible with 3⃣ catches
We love it #ProteaFire
#SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/t1NRBqvURW
">🇿🇦 Bag the first win of the series
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 29, 2020
Great performance from the boys to seal a 7⃣4⃣ run victory over🇦🇺
Klaasen crucial 💯ensures 🇿🇦 post a competitive total
Ngidi the pick of bowler 3⃣ wickets
Verreynne had an incredible with 3⃣ catches
We love it #ProteaFire
#SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/t1NRBqvURW🇿🇦 Bag the first win of the series
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 29, 2020
Great performance from the boys to seal a 7⃣4⃣ run victory over🇦🇺
Klaasen crucial 💯ensures 🇿🇦 post a competitive total
Ngidi the pick of bowler 3⃣ wickets
Verreynne had an incredible with 3⃣ catches
We love it #ProteaFire
#SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/t1NRBqvURW
It was always going to be difficult for new batsmen to get established and the innings subsided.
By contrast, Klaasen and David Miller (64) put on 149 for South Africa's fifth wicket and were not parted until Miller was out in the 49th over.
"That was the difference between the teams," said Australian captain Finch. "Klaasen and Miller batted really well. When you have a couple of batters going deep - they scored something like 81 runs in the last ten overs." It was actually 82 but it proved crucial.
Klaasen said he felt "pure emotion" when he reached his century after a difficult recent period when he lost his place in the team and had to fight his way back. He gave credit to Miller and new cap Kyle Verreynne, who scored 48 and helped Klaasen add 78 for the fourth wicket after South Africa had been brought down to 48 for three after winning the toss.
Verreynne, 22, made an impressive debut which included three catches in the outfield by a player who keeps wicket in domestic cricket.
The three-match series continues in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
