QUINTON de Kock is a fearless cricketer and loves a challenge. It was no different on Friday when he was confronted by arch-nemesis Jeetan Patel in the second Test at the Basin Reserve.
De Kock changed the course of the Test with a brilliant 91 that formed part of 160-run stand for the seventh wicket with Temba Bavuma (89). South Africa were reeling at 94/6 when De Kock strode to the wicket, but ultimately finished the day on 349/9 with an 81-run lead.
South Africa’s precocious wicket-keeper/batsman "knew straightaway" that Patel would be waiting for him after the off-spinner had dismissed him on four previous occasions. But this time the 24-year-old was ready.
"I was looking forward to the battle again," De Kock said after the close of play.
He sure was, and armed with a greater intent to be aggressive against the veteran, De Kock started with a forceful cut shot for two through the off-side before lunch. It set the tone with the left-hander comfortably winning this round of their on-going slug-fest, with De Kock taking 37 runs off 43 balls faced from Patel.
"I have played against so many off-spinners in my life. I know Jeetan is a good bowler and he has me four out of four but I knew I could still get on top of him if I just put my head down," De Kock said. "It happened today, so it was nice to finally get one over him."
Bavuma was there every step of the way with his former Highveld Lions teammate. The pair enjoy batting together, complimenting each other’s styles, with Bavuma obdurate in defence in contrast to De Kock’s flamboyance.
"We knew the pressure was on us. The mindset was to somehow shift the pressure onto them. I didn't want to get bogged down, so the only way forward that I knew was to play my natural game," De Kock said.
"I was obviously a little bit more aggressive than usual, but it was something that needed to be done."
The pair certainly earned the respect of New Zealand’s warhorse Neil Wagner, who once again troubled the Proteas top-order with his short-pitched strategy that earned the left-armer figures of 3/96. It was one those bumpers that dismissed Bavuma 11 runs short of his second Test century.
"As conditions flattened out, they made the most of it and played well," Wagner said. "Full credit to De Kock and Bavuma, who showed lot patience and grafted through that period. You expect that from a quality team."
The former Northerns fast bowler, though, believed that Patel may have suffered a bloody nose on the second day, but could still be the one to land the knockout blow later as the Test draws on.
“I think Jeets (Patel) is definitely in the game. It does tend to bounce here and the footmarks deteriorate. It depends on how it deteriorates but Jeets definitely has a big role for us in the second innings," Wagner added.