South Africa's Reeza Hendricks says batters were 'quietly confident' before world record run-chase
South Africa's Reeza Hendricks says the batting unit were "quietly confident" before setting about the world record run-chase in T20I cricket against the West Indies.
Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks.The Proteas chased down a target of 259 in Centurion on Sunday with seven balls to spare and only lost four wickets in the process.
The home team would have been forgiven if they had felt sorry for themselves at the halfway stage after they conceded 258-5.
The Proteas knew though that the pitch was good for batting and as usual the ball travels further in the highveld.
"The chat was quite simple," Hendricks said when asked what was the talk in the dressing room before coming out to bat.
"Everybody was quietly confident that this was a good wicket. We never doubted ourselves at any stage. We believed we had the batting order to chase the score down."
Hendricks and opening partner Quinton de Kock set up the perfect platform after bludgeoning 102 in the first six overs of the powerplay - another world record.
De Kock scored his maiden century in the shortest format for South Africa in only 43 balls while Hendricks struck 68 off only 28 deliveries as the duo put on 152 inside 11 overs.
"To be part of that partnership was unbelievable. It was special," Hendricks added. "We'll probably reflect on what we've done when the dust has settled.
"We absolutely targeted getting as much runs in that period (powerplay) as we could. The benefit was that the runs were on the board and we saw how the Windies got there. So, in many senses it was just about going with the flow and capitalising whichever way we could."
"We didn't have total in mind. But to score that number of runs was a bonus. That's the Quinny I know. It doesn't come off all the time, but it did when the team needed it the most.
"That's how he plays. The wicket allowed for his stroke-play and it was a special innings to witness."
The three-match series is now locked at 1-1 with the deciding game to be played at the Wanderers on Tuesday.
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