‘Ye Australia ko kya hogaya’ – Fans react as South Africa defeat Australia by 164 runs to level 5-match ODI series 2-2

Australia and South Africa clashed against each other in the 4th match of the 5-match ODI series at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday, September 16. The Proteas displayed a brilliant all-round performance as they defeated the Australian team by a huge margin of 164 runs to level the series 2-2. 

Talking about the match, Australia won the toss and asked South Africa to put runs on the scoreboard. However, South African openers Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks provided a cracking start to the team. Hendricks departed in the 13th over on 28 runs. De Kock also went back to the pavilion in the 21st over but he has done his job with scoring 45 runs which included 5 fours.

The no. 3 ranked ODI player in the world Rassie van der Dussen took the innings forward and scored 62 runs off 65 balls which included 7 fours and 2 sixes. However, it was Heinrich Klaasen who stole the show with his sensational knock. His innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, as he dispatched the Australian bowlers to all corners of the ground. Klaasen scored 174 runs off just 83 balls and his innings was studded with 13 fours and a staggering 13 sixes, leaving the opposition in awe of his strokeplay.

Brilliant effort by Alex Carey

He was well accompanied by the left-handed David Miller who scored 82 runs off just 45 balls which included 6 fours and 5 sixes. Both stitched a monumental 222-run stand for the 5th wicket and helped the team to achieve a massive total of 416 runs in the first innings.

Chasing the target, Australia had a horrible start as they lost their first 2 wickets inside the first powerplay. However, they suffered a huge blow when their star opener Travis Head retired hurt due to an unfortunate hand injury. Lungi Ngidi was brilliant with the ball in the powerplay.

No other batters except wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey looked comfortable while chasing. Carey was batting brilliantly but was not supported by the other batters. He also missed his well-deserved century by just 1 run. His wicket also ended the hope for the Australian team to chase the target as they lost the match by 164 runs. The final match of the series will be played on Sunday which will also be the decider.

Here’s how fans reacted:

https://twitter.com/i_am_juari/status/1702747728542048582