Bavuma and van der Dussen tons stud Proteas 296 for 4

Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen shared a double-century partnership that formed the basis of an imposing Proteas total of 296 for 4 in their allotted 50 overs in the first ODI against India.

Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat, suspecting that the pitch would get tougher to bat on as the day wore on.

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The sunbaked Boland Park pitch, played a little slow and it was tough going early on as Janneman Malan fell cheaply before Quinton de Kock (27) was undone by off-spinner Ravi Ashwin.

Aiden Markram was run out after struggling to four, leaving the Proteas 68 for 3.

Bavuma and van der Dussen take control

That brought Bavuma and van der Dussen together with the two batsmen seemingly well suited to the pitch and the match situation.

The Proteas numbers three and five ran well between the wickets and found the boundary regularly. 

Once van der Dussen settled he became the dominant run-scorer and he would bat through the innings finishing unbeaten on 129. Van der Dussen struck nine fours and four sixes in his innings.

Van der Dussen’s innings was notable for his quick-scoring, as he managed a significantly higher strike-rate than any of his peers, making his 129 off just 96 balls.

Proteas set imposing target

Bavuma was largely concerned with trying to get van Der Dussen back on strike but he also struck eight boundaries on his way to 110.

Jasprit Bumrah finally removed Bavuma as the Proteas looked for a big finish. When the Proteas skipper went back to the dressing room they were 272 for 4 with 11 balls remaining.

Van der Dussen found the boundary twice in the final over, but fell just short of getting South Africa to a total of more than 300.