Klaasen smashes ton as South Africa thump England at World Cup

Heinrich Klaasen scored a 61-ball century as South Africa posted 399 and then bowled England out for 170 in 22 overs to claim a massive 229-run victory in their Cricket World Cup pool stage clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.

Defending champions England have now lost three of their opening four games of their title defence and are in real danger of not making the semi-finals as they slipped to their record defeat in One-Day Internationals.

England won the toss and elected to field, but had no answer to South Africa’s power hitting as their bowlers toiled in stiflingly hot and humid conditions.

Klaasen finished with 109 from 67 balls and put on 151 in 76 deliveries for the sixth wicket with all-rounder Marco Jansen (75 not out from 42 balls), the highest run-rate in a 150-run stand in the history of the men‍‍`s World Cup.

England’s reply never got going as they slipped to 68-6 before a late rally from Mark Wood (43 not out) and Gus Atkinson (35) put on 70 for what proved to be the last wicket with Reece Topley not able to bat.

England removed dangerous South African opener Quinton de Kock with the second ball of the innings for four, as seamer Topley took the first of his three wickets.

South Africa were held in check in the opening overs, but when Topley went off with an injured finger, the pressure was released and by the time he returned they were in full stride.

Reeza Hendricks, in the side for ill captain Temba Bavuma, made an eye-catching 85 from 75 balls and put on 121 with Rassie van der Dussen (60 from 61 balls) for the second wicket.

Aiden Markram compiled a well-played 42 and David Miller managed only five as Topley (3-88) removed both batters.

Klaasen and Jansen then went on the attack, smashing the ball to all parts as South Africa scored 143 in the last 10 overs of the innings to record the highest total ever against England at a World Cup.

The chase was always going to be a tall order, but England never looked as though they would mount a serious challenge.

Number 10 batter Mark Wood was top-scorer in the innings and Ben Stokes, playing his first game of the tournament after a hip injury, could only manage five before he was caught and bowled by Kagiso Rabada.

Seamer Gerald Coetzee was the pick of the South African bowlers with 3-35.