‘It took lot of hard work to get to where I am at this moment’

Monday, 12 February 2024: Heinrich Klaasen’s last 12 months have actually run out this world. The Durban’s Super Giants super star was called SA20 Player of the Season and Batter of the Season for 2024 on Saturday night at Newlands. It bookmarked a remarkable duration for Klaasen that started right here in the inaugural SA20 Season 1.

Klaasen illuminated Centurion with a gleaming heap in Season 1, before avoiding to the Indian Premier League where he duplicated the act for Sunrisers Hyderabad. There was a three-peat when Klaasen struck another century in The Hundred to display his capability throughout all conditions.

But he was refrained from doing yet. Klaasen developed to the ICC 50-overs World Cup in India in 2015 with an amazing 174 off 83 balls versus Australia in India before blowing up in Mumbai with another rollicking 67-ball 109 versus England.

Klaasen’s purple spot continued in SA20 Season 2 where he bludgeoned the opposition’s bowlers to all parts of the 6 locations around the nation, as he completed with 447 perform at a strike-rate of 207.90. The consistency of Klaasen’s striking, which yielded a record-breaking 37 6s, has actually been unbelievable and he associates his success to the effort behind the scenes.

“The swing has been good the last couple of years. I think better decision-making and execution has helped me. It helps when you execute the right plan you have in mind. It took a lot of hard work to get to where I am at this moment but I am also in a good space mentally,” Klassen stated.

Although Klaasen was not able to power DSG to their maiden Betway SA20 champion, the 32-year-old was pleased with the group’s general efficiency.

“It’s nice to perform, but it’s only worth it when your team gets over the line, otherwise the performance means nothing to me. It is a little bit disappointing, but there are more important things in life than winning trophies. It has been a good tournament, our guys played fantastically, but the better team won on the day,” he stated.

“The boys have been fantastic, together with the coaches, and supporting staff, it’s a thankless job. We can’t ask for a better tournament in South Africa. The SA20 is up there with the world’s best.”

Sunrisers duo Ottniel Baartman and Marco Jansen were likewise honoured on Saturday night for their brave efficiencies in assisting the Eastern Cape group protect their title in Season 2. Baartman was called Bowler of the Season after declaring 18 wickets at approximately 11.78, while Jansen gathered the Rising Star of the Season for his 20 wickets and 105 perform at a strike-rate of 177.96

“We had a number of injuries in the team, including Sisanda Magala and Craig Overton. I knew I had to step it up. The team played very nicely, the way they set the tone with the new ball throughout the tournament was unbelievable,” Baartman stated.

Equally, Jansen commemorated his colleagues – in real Sunrisers’ style – for assisting him to attain the individual acknowledgment.

“I couldn’t have done it without the team as personal performances can only take you so far. Having those two (Dan Worrall and Baartman) with me is an awesome feeling. Just to know that if I’m not on it on any given occasion, they’ll carry me,” the 23-year-old stated

“With the bat, I just go out and try and enjoy it. If it comes off, it comes off. It’s an awesome feeling.”

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