SA vs AUS: "Best Hitting I've Seen In A Long Long Time" - Virender Sehwag Hails Heinrich Klaasen For His Stupendous 174 vs Australia

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag lavished rich praise on South African batter Heinrich Klaasen for his staggering knock against Australia in the fourth ODI. He said that his innings were the best hitting he had seen in a long long time.

South Africa batter Heinrich Klaasen took the world cricket by storm with his brutal innings against Australia in the must-win encounter. The keeper-batter arguably played one of the finest knocks in the history of ODI cricket as he made a mockery of the opposition’s bowling lineup and smashed them all over the park.

Heinrich Klaasen came to bat when South Africa lost three wickets and he took attack to the Australian bowlers. There wasn’t any corner of the ground where the ball didn’t go as he activated his beast mode and put his side in the dominating position in the fourth ODI, which helped his side level the series.

Heinrich Klaasen scored an unbeaten 174 runs off just 83 balls. He batted with a gigantic strike rate of around 210, smashing 13 fours and 13 sixes in his innings. He added 222 runs in partnership with David Miller (82*) as the duo propelled South Africa to a total of 416 runs on the board.

Virender Sehwag was stunned by Heinrich Klaasen’s innings. Taking to his X account, he wrote:

“What an innings, Heinrich Klaasen, first 25 balls 24 runs, next 58 balls 150.The best hitting i have seen in a long long time.”

What an innings, Heinrich Klaasen , first 25 balls 24 runs, next 58 balls 150.

The best hitting i have seen in a long long time. #AUSvsSA pic.twitter.com/wQQ5Ky79Sm

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 15, 2023

SA vs AUS: I am trying to take everything in. It’s a special day – Heinrich Klaasen after his 174 Against Australia

Heinrich Klaasen also opened up about his knock, saying that it was a special day for him. He also talked about his partnership with David Miller and added that coaches needed something like this from him and he’s glad that he delivered. He explained:

“I am trying to take everything in. It’s a special day, you try to take in everything. I can’t remember a lot of the innings, have to go back and probably watch it tonight. The wicket looked a little bit slow, they bowled in incredible areas. We just spoke about taking it to the 35th over and then see what happens. It got a little bit better and they went off that area and we cashed in.

“The ball travels nicely, we knew we could make some big damage. It’s also nice batting with David, he takes a lot of pressure off you. It was just a normal partnership for us. We thought about 320-odd and then it became 380 and then it became 400. The coach has been asking for that. The fans are incredible here, grew up at this venue, they look after me very nicely. It’s amazing for me to be here.”

The series decider fifth ODI between South Africa and Australia will take place on Sunday (17th September).