KLAASEN STRIKES ANOTHER RAPID HALF-CENTURY IN VAIN

Betway SA20 Season 2 MVP Heinrich Klaasen was back amongst the runs with a superb half-century for the Seattle Orcas in the MLC.

Klaasen, who is standing-in as captain for the Orcas while Pretoria Capitals’ Wayne Parnell recovers from flu, was in good form again.

The Durban's Super Giants big-hitter is, of course, fresh from taking the Proteas to the brink of ICC Men's T20 World Cup glory when he struck the fastest half-century in the history of a T20 World Cup final in Barbados.

Klaasen had to be a bit more circumspect against the Washington Freedom after MI Cape Town's Ryan Rickelton followed up his maiden T20 century with a rare failure on the day.

WATCH: Rickelton on his summer of success

The Orcas were in a spot of bother at 44/3 after his Durban's Super Giants teammate Quinton de Kock was clean bowled by New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson for 24.

Klaasen, however, absorbed the pressure before raising his bat for the 30th T20 half-century career off 29 balls (4x4, 3x6).

He was particularly strong down the ground, smashing the majority of his boundaries and maximums past the bowler.

Unfortunately for Klaasen and the Orcas, the stand-in skipper fell to Proteas teammate and SA20 Season 2 leading wicket-taker Marco Jansen the very next delivery.

The Orcas’ innings fell apart after Klaasen's dismissal with Ferguson claiming 4/26 and USA’s rising star Saurabh Netravalkar bagging 3/18 to restrict the Seattle side to 124 all out.

The Freedom’s run chase encountered a few pot holes along the way with Joburg Super Kings' fast bowler Nandre Burger delivering an impressive new-ball spell with figures of 2/27 for the Orcas, but ultimately it was not enough to prevent Washington from getting home by five wickets and 10 balls to spare.

“I think we lost the game in the backend with the bat. I think we bowled quite well upfront, but we didn't have enough on the board. We are lacking that one guy that keeps on going at the backend, and that is something that will give the bowlers that extra cushion,” Klaasen said.

“Proud of the bowlers, they did what they needed to do and like I said, not enough runs on the board and we need to get that right.”