South Africa has had a promising start to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as their latest win against Bangladesh in Mumbai came on the back of another blazing batting display.
The team trounced Bangladesh by 149 runs after scoring 382 runs in the first innings as they continued to shine at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday.
The Proteas have now successfully picked up four points from two matches in Mumbai.
Temba Bavuma’s side put up mammoth totals on board in all games but one in the ongoing Cricket World Cup.
The team is currently second in the points table with eight points.
Here’s a look at South Africa’s stunning numbers after their win over Bangladesh on Tuesday:
Biggest win by runs
South Africa thrashed England by 229 runs in Mumbai, which is the biggest victory in terms of runs in the 2023 World Cup. It also marked the Proteas’s third-largest win in the history of the tournament. In the case of England, it is their biggest-ever loss in One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
The second-highest win of the World Cup also belongs to South Africa, following their 149-run victory over Bangladesh, which they share with New Zealand. The Black Caps defeated Afghanistan by the same margin earlier in the tournament.
South Africa shine after batting first
South Africa’s exceptional win against Bangladesh is their eighth ODI victory by more than 100 runs this year.
They won nine out of 10 times they batted first this year. South Africa are now tied with Pakistan in the all-time record for 100-plus run wins in a calendar year. What makes South Africa’s feat even better is that they have bagged it in 11 fewer matches.
Their only loss so far in the Cricket World Cup, an upset against the Netherlands, came after they batted second.
Highest net run rate
South Africa’s overwhelming victories over England and Bangladesh in Mumbai mean they have by far the best net run rate in the World Cup 2023. Their current net run rate of +2.370 after five matches is well ahead of the next best – New Zealand’s +1.481.
Quinton de Kock’s performance
Quinton de Kock’s 174 runs against Bangladesh is his best knock ever at the Cricket World Cup and the second-best total by a South African cricketer in the coveted tournament after Gary Kirsten’s unbeaten 188 against the UAE in 1996.
De Kock is much more ahead in the runs chart, having already accumulated 407 runs in five matches at an average of 81.40, with India’s Virat Kohli in second place with 354 runs.
Heinrich Klaasen’s explosive strike rate
Among all the recognised batters at the ICC Cricket World Cup, Heinrich Klassen’s strike rate is the highest.
The South African batter, coming in at No 5, has scored runs at a rate of 150.78. He is the sixth-leading scorer this campaign, with 288 runs in five games. This includes a century and a 50 at an average of 57.60.
Of the prominent batters at the tournament, only Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis (218 runs at 146.30) and Pakistan’s Iftikhar Ahmed (101 runs at 140.27) come close to matching Klaasen’s hitting prowess.
Best finishers
South Africa have gone full throttle in the final 10 overs in the matches so far in the World Cup.
No team has even come close to South Africa’s record between the 41st and 50th over. The Proteas have scored at an eye-watering rate of 12.28 in the final 10 overs, with New Zealand being next best with a run rate of 8.16.
Some classic hitting by de Kock, Klaasen and David Miller saw South Africa score an extraordinary 144 runs in the final 10 overs against Bangladesh.
