It looked like a serious risk but turned out to be a masterstroke as Quinton de Kock struck a fine half-century as an opener in the second Test against New Zealand at Centurion.
The free-flowing left-hander was his usual energetic self in compiling a breezy 58 not out off 79 balls as the Proteas made an outstanding start to the series decider by going to lunch on 100/0 off 28 overs on Saturday after Black Caps captain Kane Williamson won the toss and decided to bowl first.
De Kock did gain an extra life on 42 when he got a big inside edge to Doug Bracewell as he drove on the up outside off-stump. Wicket-keeper BJ Watling was moving to his right in line with the ball, but had to shift his weight quickly to the left and got a good piece of his glove on it.
The ball popped out of his hands, though, and De Kock survived.
De Kock moved up the order after Dean Elgar was ruled out with an ankle sprain sustained on Friday, with Stiaan van Zyl slotting into the middle-order instead of partnering Stephen Cook.
Proteas team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said: “Dean’s injury was a freak accident; he rolled his right ankle over the boundary rope during training on Friday. He received treatment to the sprain overnight, but showed no signs of improvement this morning and has been subsequently ruled out of the match.”
De Kock was in sweet touch, playing a few delightful flicks off his legs and driving powerfully square of the wicket on the offside. He seldom looked flustered on a featherbed of a pitch that didn’t provide much assistance to the Kiwi pace attack, which brings into question Williamson’s decision to field first.
There was some movement here and there, but the lack of pace in the pitch meant that Cook and De Kock could easily adjust in time.
Cook played his usual anchor role, but survived an lbw appeal on one in the fourth over when Trent Boult got one to jag back into the right-hander. The South African prodded forward unconvincingly and was just struck on the pads just outside his crease, but umpire Paul Reiffel ruled not out.
New Zealand called for a TV review, but the replays showed a big inside edge on to the pads.
The Lions captain soon got into his groove, though, following the example of his enthusiastic partner to end the morning session on 40 not out off 89 balls (7x4).
But De Kock justified the faith that his captain, coach and selectors put in him to open the batting by going to his third Test half-century in style by punching Boult off the back foot through cover for his 10th boundary off just 73 balls.
He added another soon afterwards to end the session on 58 not out off 79 deliveries (11x4).
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