World Cup 2019: Kevin Pietersen likes batting of South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen

South Africa took on India in their third match of the ICC World Cup 2019 at Ageas Bowl, Southampton, on Wednesday. After two consecutive failures in chasing the opponents’ runs at the Oval, the Proteas decided to bat first against India in the third match. Faf du Plessis’ men need to win this game to ensure that they do not get too close to the exit door. However, there was not much of an improvement in the batting display against India as South Africa were reduced to 158 for 7 at one stage.

India was off to a magnificent start as their star pacer Jasprit Bumrah picked both the South African openers Hashim Amla (6) and Quinton de Kock (10) with the team total at 24. It was then when du Plessis (38 off 54) and Rassie van der Dussen (22 off 37) resurrected the innings with a 54-run partnership. Dussen was castled by wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal who had a field day.

Dussen scored 50 and 41 in first two games in this World Cup

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen in a Twitter post praised Dussen saying he liked whatever he saw in the batsman so far. The 30-year-old batsman made his ODI debut against Pakistan in January and has played only 11 games so far. He has scored 444 runs with five fifties and averages 74. In this World Cup, too, the top-order batsman remains among those few who have scored in an otherwise uninspiring batting display.

Dussen scored 50 in the match against England as his team chased 312 while against Bangladesh, he chipped in with 41 while chasing 331. Though his innings did not make any difference in either of the games, Dussen made a mark.

I like, van der Dussen, from what I’ve seen so far…

— Kevin Pietersen???? (@KP24) June 5, 2019

Dussen has also played in 99 T20s in which he has scored three centuries with the highest score of 112 not out. He has a strike-rate of 131 plus and averages 38.43 in the shortest format. In seven T20Is, he has scored 253 runs with two half-centuries. His strike-rate of 133.15 in the T20Is is also quite impressive.

Pietersen’s interest in Dussen might not be totally out of place since like the latter, the former England batsman is also born in South Africa and went on to play for the Three Lions.