Classy Klaasen ramps up pressure for a World Cup spot

Heinrich Klaasen steered South Africa to victory for the second time in the series as his 59 off 67 balls took the Proteas to a four-wicket win over Zimbabwe in Paarl at the weekend.

The wicketkeeper/batsman knows that is exactly what he has to keep doing if he is going to book his place to the World Cup next year.

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Klaasen finished off the good work begun up front by Aiden Markram (42) and Reeza Hendricks (66) as South Africa chased down a target of 229 in 45.5 overs, for a 3-0 series victory.

“It was very nice to get some runs, although I would have liked to have been not out. I just need to hit more balls in the middle of the bat at the back end of the innings, it took too long at the end. It’s about a positive mindset and playing a positive brand of cricket, but not just hitting the ball out of the ground all the time. You have to graft sometimes too.

“It was good to play a long innings and put some pressure on the bowlers. I’ve changed my mindset after a good chat with Mark Boucher (his Titans coach) – it’s just about going series to series and asking the right questions by putting runs on the board.

“Today was nice because it gave me confidence to play my natural game and take some time,” Klaasen
said after the match.

While Klaasen is officially the back-up wicketkeeper to regular gloveman Quinton de Kock, he is a good enough batsman to warrant selection for that alone.

“Hopefully Quinny doesn’t get injured, but I want to be first in the line if he does. But there’s the opportunity to play just as a batsman as well.

“In the middle-order, you need to be able to play different types of cricket, to be able to graft or score at eight runs an over if the team needs that. I think my game does suit both roles,” Klaasen said.

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