In an explosive performance, South African allrounder Marco Jansen came tantalizingly close to achieving his first Test century. During the second Test against India, he struck 93 runs but fell short of the milestone when he was bowled by Kuldeep Yadav at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. Despite his disappointment, Jansen’s innings saw him break remarkable records previously held by legends Viv Richards and Matthew Hayden.
Jansen’s Historic Innings
Marco Jansen’s innings was nothing short of spectacular. The 25yearold allrounder entered the crease when South Africa was in a precarious position at 334 for seven. However, he quickly took control of the match, showcasing his aggressive batting style.
RecordBreaking Performance
- Jansen scored 93 runs at a strike rate exceeding 100.
- He hit seven sixes, surpassing the previous record of six sixes by Richards in 1974 and Hayden in 2001.
- This performance also tied him with Shahid Afridi for the most sixes in a Test innings against India.
His ability to target Indian bowlers, such as Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, demonstrated his prowess. Jansen reached his halfcentury in just 53 balls, leaving India’s bowlers searching for answers.
Emotion Following Dismissal
Jansen’s frustration was palpable when he fell short of his century. As he attempted to scale back his aggressive play and focus on singles, he mistimed a shot and inadvertently edged the ball onto his stumps. His dismissal ended South Africa’s first innings at an impressive total of 489 runs.
While Jansen may not have secured his century, his recordbreaking feat marks a significant milestone in his budding career. As he reflects on his innings, he will likely take pride in his achievements despite the nearmiss.