Heinrich Klaasen, a proficient wicketkeeper-batsman, entered the cricket scene around the same time as Quinton de Kock established himself in the South African team across all formats. Klaasen had always excelled in both batting and glovework, aspiring to become an all-round option if needed.
In February 2017, the wicketkeeper batter notched his maiden franchise century, scoring 195 runs, nearly achieving a double century, and helping Titans secure victory against Dolphins in a first-class match. This performance led to him finishing the season as the seventh-highest run-scorer and earning his first call-up to the South African Test squad as the reserve wicketkeeper for their series in New Zealand in March 2017.
Lately, the dynamic wicketkeeper batter have been in sublime form as the batter has played some terrific knock in 2023. Let us look at the top three knocks from Klaasen:
#1. 174 vs Australia in Centurion in 2023
The fourth ODI victory was achieved through a remarkable batting exhibition by the home team on September 15th at Centurion, amassing a total of 416-5. Initially, Heinrich Klaasen faced 25 balls and managed 24 runs, but he then unleashed a stunning onslaught, accumulating 150 more runs from the following 58 deliveries, concluding with an impressive total of 174 runs.
Batting at the No.5 position, Klaasen displayed his prowess by striking 13 boundaries and an equal number of sixes during his explosive innings, maintaining a phenomenal strike rate of 210. This exceptional performance came after South Africa was tasked with batting first in the match.
#2. 123* vs. Australia in Paarl in 2020
The wicketkeeper batter registered his maiden century against the Australian team in Paarl which also helped the South African team to win the match by 74 runs in the series opener. Klaasen remained undefeated with a score of 123 runs off 114 deliveries, leading the home team to bounce back from a shaky beginning and post a total of 291 for seven in their allotted 50 overs. This proved to be more than sufficient, as Australia‘s innings was wrapped up for 217 runs in under 46 overs.
#3. 119* vs West Indies in Potchefstroom in 2023
In the West Indies tour of South Africa in the year 2023, the 32-year-old batter registered an impressive unbeaten score of 119 runs from 61 balls against the West Indies in Potchefstroom. He achieved his century in a mere 54 deliveries during that inning. Notably, this performance also ranked as the fifth-highest total ever recorded by South Africa in ODI cricket.