While being the first player to bag a hundred in the Mzansi Super League is special, Reeza Hendricks chose to heap praise on his teammates for helping him to achieve the milestone.
“Overall it was a good batting display, it was just my day to get the accolade,” Hendricks mused afterwards.
His 104 not out came off just 51 balls and included nine fours and half-a-dozen sixes helping the Jozi Stars to a monstrous 230/3 in their 20 overs. They eventually ran out winners by 53 runs over the hapless Durban Heat.
Hendricks and opening partner Ryan Rickleton shared a stand of 99 runs in 10 overs to lay the foundation for the carnage that followed. “As an opening pair the first six overs were going to be very important. Ricks and I got off to a good start, he played very well at the other end, that set the base for us just to play.”
Rassie van der Dussen hit 37 off 21 balls – that included four consecutive sixes off Tladi Bokako – and Australian import Dan Christian pummelled 36 off 15 balls. “Rassie took it away from them smashing it all over the park and that allowed me to play, I then jumped on that bandwagon and also took it down.”
As much as it pained him to bear the brunt of Hendricks’ assault, Heat captain Albie Morkel could appreciate the performance.
“I’ve always rated him even when he played down at the Knights. I felt he could have played for the Proteas a long time ago. It looks like he is maturing as a cricketer just now.
“He is one of those guys that when he is on song, you’d pay money to watch, he makes it look so easy, guys like that on their day no one can bowl to them.”
With the exception of one, all the bowlers of course copped a pasting on a pitch Morkel described as “too good”.
Of the 12 players who bowled, seven had economy rates in excess of 10 an over. That one individual was Kagiso Rabada, who effectively locked up the match in his first over when he picked up three wickets.
“I didn’t feel my best today, but things went for me. On the day you just have to find a way, things went for me,” said Rabada, who finished with 4/27 in four overs.
“All I’ve been doing is trying to find a way. Sometimes things go for you, sometimes they don’t, all you’re trying to do is get the balls in the right area and give yourself the best chance."