SA vs IND | Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks Set Huge Partnership Record At St George’s Park
Tony de Zorzi celebrates his maiden ODI fifty (AP)
South African openers Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi humbled India's high-flying bowling attack with sparkling half-centuries in the second ODI of the ongoing three-match series.
Turning up at Port Elizabeth's St George's Park Cricket Ground with an aim to enforce a decider at Paarl, the two batters helped South Africa wipe 130 runs off their 212-run target with their colossal opening stand.
During the course of their match-defining partnership against Team India, Hendricks and Zorzi also scaled a huge batting record, eclipsing the 2009 effort from the batters Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin.
De Zorzi and Hendricks set huge record against India
Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi cautiously countered India's new-ball pace trio of Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan inside the opening powerplay. After reaching 39-0 by the end of the first 10 overs, the two batters opened up with counterattacking diligence as they brought up their 100-run partnership by 125 deliveries.
De Zorzi registered his maiden ODI half-century in the process, while Hendricks took 81 balls to score 52 before he was dismissed by Arshdeep as the Proteas suffered their first casualty at 130.
Their sublime opening stand set up a huge partnership record at the St George's Park Cricket Ground, considering it now marks the highest-ever first-wicket alliance at the venue by any pair.
The two South African batting stars bettered Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin's 129-run opening partnership from 2009 by a run to attain a significant new height in their must-win game against the visiting Indian team.
Highest opening stands at St George's Park, Gqeberha
- Tony de Zorzi and Reeza Hendricks (South Africa) - 130 runs, 2023
- Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin (Australia) - 129 runs, 2009
- Kennedy Otieno and Ravi Shah (Kenya) - 121 runs, 2001
- Hashim Amla and Reeza Hendricks (South Africa) - 82 runs, 2019
- Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden (Australia) - 81 runs, 2002
Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi set up a foundation of South Africa's run-chase with their mammoth effort at the top of the order.
After facing India in their must-win game in Port Elizabeth, the Proteas will now travel to Paarl's Boland Park for the series-deciding third ODI. The much-awaited contest will be played on December 21.
 "Aakash Saini")
