A Klaas of his own: Why Proteas heavyhitter could force Aussies into a tough selection call

With the possible exception of Virat Kohli in the final, no wicket brought more joy for Australia at the 2023 World Cup than Heinrich Klaasen in the Kolkata semi.

Partly, this was because it came from the golden arm of Travis Head, as Klaasen played meekly inside an off-break that turned only a little.

Heinrich Klaasen is bowled by Travis Head in the semi-final of cricket’s 2023 one-day international World Cup. Credit: Getty/AP

But the elation of the Australians was mainly because, to them, Klaasen is perhaps the single most destructive middle order player in white ball cricket today: that is, the most destructive player not named Glenn Maxwell.

After Josh Inglis led a masterful chase to defeat England in Lahore at the weekend, Australia’s undermanned bowling attack must now shape up to South Africa and Klaasen in Rawalpindi, known for its flat and featureless pitches. Klaasen missed the Proteas’ opening win over Afghanistan to rest an elbow problem, the better to be fit for Tuesday night’s game.

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