South African duo Matthew Breetzke and Marco Jansen hammered fifties versus India (Image Source: X/@ProteasMenCSA)
What’s the story
South African duo Matthew Breetzke and Marco Jansen hammered fifties versus India in the 1st ODI held at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi.
Chasing a target of 350, South Africa were reduced to 11/3 when Breetzke arrived.
He shared three fifty-plus stands, including a partnership worth 97 alongside Marco Jansen.
South Africa were going along nicely before the two perished in the same over.
Breetzke plays support cast; Jansen comes in and takes off
Breetzke walked in at a crucial phase and built a 66-run stand alongside Tony de Zorzi (39).
Dewald Brevis came in next and scored a powerful 37. He dominated in a 53-run stand alongside Breetzke.
Thereafter, Jansen joined Breetzke and powered the Proteas with his elegant shot-making.
Breetzke played his part at the other end, allowing Jansen to dominate in a superb partnership.
Kuldeep Yadav dismisses both batters in a game-changing 34th over
India’s left-arm wrist-spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, broke the stand by dismissing both batters in the 34th over. Jansen rocked back to pull and was caught at deep mid-wicket. Breetzke then wanted to go over long-on and was caught by Virat Kohli.
Breetzke slams his 6th fifty-plus score in ODIs
Breetzke’s knock of 72 came from 80 balls. He hit 8 fours and a six.
Playing his 10th ODI for the Proteas, Breetzke now owns 614 runs at a stupendous 68.22.
This was his 6th fifty-plus score in 10 innings. The tally includes 5 half-centuries and a hundred.
As per ESPNcricinfo, Breetzke has collected 464 runs in 9 away matches (home of opposition).
Jansen lights up Ranchi with an aggressive knock
Jansen hammered a 26-ball fifty before ending up with 70 runs from just 39 balls. He smoked three sixes and 8 fours, striking at 179.49.
In 30 ODIs, he now owns 534 runs at 26.70 from 25 innings. This was his 2nd fifty in ODIs.
He owns an impressive strike rate of 112.42.
