Durban – Veteran wicketkeeper Morne van Wyk described scoring his maiden century for the Proteas as a “dream come true” after helping South Africa avoid a T20 International series whitewash against the West Indies in Durban on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old clubbed an unbeaten 114 off 70 deliveries, only the third ton by a South African in the 20-over format, as the hosts completed a 69-run win at Kingsmead.
“It's one of the proudest moments of my career,” Van Wyk said after the game. “But obviously when you score a hundred you want to win.
“At halftime I was just hoping that would be the case. Hundreds always mean more when you win.
“Sitting here now thinking that I've scored a hundred for the Proteas is really special. It will still take a while to set in, because it doesn't happen every day of the week. I think I can say it's a dream come true.”
The opener, playing in his sixth T20 for the Proteas, joined Richard Levi and Faf du Plessis to hold the distinction as the only South Africans to have hit the three-figure milestone.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, the home side posted a massive 195 for three, thanks in the main to Van Wyk, who had good support from Reeza Hendricks (42). The pair shared an opening-wicket stand of 111 runs.
In reply, the West Indians folded to 126 all out in 19 overs thanks to David Wiese's five for 23.
“Setting a strong foundation early on was important and Reeza and myself managed to do that,” Van Wyk said.
“With me batting at the end, it allowed us to push on and get that extra 10 percent of runs, which was above the par score.”
The Dolphins captain, who only played in the series after an injury to Quinton de Kock, admitted that it may well have been his last game for his country, although he is part of the squad for the upcoming five-match one-day series against the same opponents.
“I'm playing in place of someone who is injured so, even though I scored a hundred, it could be my last game for a while. If that's the case then at least I contributed and made some runs. You just have to try and stay in the present.
“From my point of view, I don't get the opportunity that much. But if I play and wear this shirt, I want to win as well. So to taste that is a great feeling.”
Van Wyk acknowledged that avoiding a series whitewash was also critical.
“We have been outplayed in the series but 3-0 wouldn't have been that nice.
“No one wants to be part of a team that is whitewashed.”
The five-match ODI series begins in Durban on Friday. – Sapa