South Africa's Temba Bavuma hails Heinrich Klaasen's match-winning ODI century against West Indies
- Nasri Alexander
- 22 March 2023
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma says Heinrich Klaasen's match-winning ODI hundred against the West Indies will build belief within the squad about the brand of cricket they want to play.
Klaasen slammed an unbeaten 119 off just 61 balls as the Proteas beat the Caribbean side by four wickets to claim a 1-1 draw in the three-match series after the first game was washed out.
The wicketkeeper-batter's brutal innings was even more impressive when you consider that the home team were in trouble at 87-4 chasing a target of 261.
Bavuma has consistently spoken about how the Proteas want to approach their batting in the 50-over format under new white-ball head coach Rob Walter.
Speaking to reporters after the game, the skipper said: "We've been speaking about how we'd like to play and there have been moments before today, but when a guy goes and plays like that it really builds that belief and confidence.
"We know there is still a learning process we will have to go through and we are going to come up against different opponents in different conditions we will have to adapt to.
"But what we showed in the past two games and the three matches against England, is we have gone a long way in really refining and building our confidence around our brand.
"Watching from the side, it was a watershed moment for us as a team. I hope it also builds the trust and confidence for people who are watching us."
Klaasen, who struck 15 fours and five sixes in his powerful knock, said the Proteas will need to stick to the process even though some days it won't come off.
The 31-year-old has now established himself as one of the key batters in South Africa's middle-order especially since he came off a disappointing Test series against the same opposition.
He added: "If we want to win a World Cup one day, then in the pressure situations you have to play your game.
"We are going to stick to our blueprint and the way we want to play and sometimes it will look great and some days not. As long as we stick to the blueprint we are happy."
