Heinrich Klaasen put on an exhibition with the bat in Match 20 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 between South Africa and England at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday (October 21).

Batting at No. 5, Klaasen took the English attack to the cleaners, slamming 109 off 67 balls with 12 fours and 4 sixes to help the Proteas rack up a gigantic 399/7 on the board.

Klaasen reached the three-figure mark with a boundary against Mark Wood in the 47th over. It took him just 61 deliveries to notch up his fourth ODI ton and he celebrated the milestone in a rather animated manner.

Klaasen, who struggled with cramps during his whirlwind knock, let out a loud roar in the direction of Wood after completing his hundred. However, he quickly realised his mistake and apologised to the England pacer.

"I didn't say anything to him," Klaasen told reporters after South Africa’s crushing 229-run victory over the defending champions England.

"I did go and apologise immediately and after the game. He (Wood) did hit me twice on the foot, which is hurting quite a bit."

"It's just pure emotion. Yeah, once again, I'm sorry for him and to the English boys. Sometimes it's difficult to control. But I did apologise straight away and spoke to him (Wood) after the game and hopefully from my side everything is sorted," he added.

After the game, England skipper Jos Buttler said Heinrich Klaasen shouldn’t have celebrated his century in Mark Wood’s face.

"I don't think he needed to celebrate in Mark Wood's face. Credit to him, he recognised that a couple of seconds after and he apologised. There are no ill feelings there," Buttler said in the post-match presser.

(With AFP Inputs)