‘My dream is fulfilled, now it becomes a job’ – Heinrich Klaasen
Heinrich Klaasen might be the toast of South Africa at the moment, but the big-hitting wicket-keeper-batsman was quick to reject suggestions that Quinton de Kock’s position as the team’s first choice for the role was under threat.
It was just a few weeks ago that Klaasen was an internationally anonymous cricketer, but since his call-up to the one-day international side after South Africa suffered a spate of injuries, he has now twice played match-winning knocks, giving his team their only victories so far against India in the limited-overs leg of the tour.
On Wednesday, 21 February, he smashed a 30-ball 69 with some audacious stroke-making to power South Africa to a parity-restoring six-wicket win over India in the second of three Twenty20 Internationals, but he wasn’t going to get carried away.
“No, not at all,” he said when asked if de Kock should be worried. “I think he is a world-class player. And our change room definitely misses him, especially top of the order. I don't think he has anything to worry about yet.”
In fact, Klaasen fully expected to return to the sidelines after the series, and rather than worry about that, he has chosen to look on the bright side – his dream has been fulfilled. “If you look at Quinny, AB (de Villiers) and Faf (du Plessis), and with Temba (Bavuma) coming back as well, they are world-class players,” said Klaasen. “So, in some sort, to put my name in that list as well … it is definitely a very important stage of my career. Put myself on the map or in this set-up. But if this is my last game, the weekend one, so be it, I am happy with it. My dream is fulfilled. Now it becomes a job.”
Klaasen’s belligerence meant Yuzvendra Chahal was taken to pieces – he had his worst day on this tour, his four wicketless overs going for 64 runs. Klaasen later revealed that he actually fancied playing leg-spin.
“I fancy him quite a lot,” he said when asked about his approach against Chahal. “Especially when I was in amateur cricket, there were a couple of quality leggies in that time when I started my career. I faced Shaun von Berg at the Titans a lot as well. We always made a joke that I need to finish the other leggie's career so he can go up. Sometimes it works. Tonight it worked perfectly. I just tried to cash in as much as possible.”
That he was playing at his home ground made the occasion even more special. “It’s something you dream about as a young kid,” said Klaasen. “To play for your country on your home ground, winning a game for your country. This one definitely takes the cherry on the cake.”
With the job done, Klaasen is looking forward to going back home and watching the recording of his knock. This time, he intends to enjoy it. “It’s nice to hit the ball where you actually want it to go. That's great fun (to be able to execute your shots in pressure situations). But in that moment you don't usually think how fun it is. Next ball you think where it is going, so (you) need to figure couple of plans and areas where to hit, try to figure out what the bowlers is going to bowl, where he is going to bowl to,” pointed out Klaasen.
“But looking back, I'd probably go back home, probably watch it, hopefully, if recorded. But later tonight or tomorrow I will enjoy it.”
