PICS: Sensational De Kock sinks Australia

Published Sep 30, 2016

Share

By: Ashfak Mohamed

Even through Quinton de Kock didn’t quite break records in the end, he played one of the greatest ODI knocks in history to guide the Proteas to a convincing six-wicket win over Australia at Centurion on Friday.

De Kock smashed an amazing 178 off just 113 balls, in which he struck a thunderous 16 fours and 11 sixes to destroy a limited Australian bowling department that was missing the likes of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

But De Kock was in such fine touch that he would’ve dominated almost any attack on a quick SuperSport Park pitch as the Proteas went 1-0 up in the five-match series.

With the Australians having totalled an imposing 294/9 in their 50 overs, the Proteas would’ve felt a bit apprehensive at the start of their chase as they didn’t have stalwart opener Hashim Amla, who was taken out of selection consideration on Friday morning due to flu.

Captain AB de Villiers was already ruled out on Tuesday, so suddenly South Africa were without their two top batsmen with a target of nearly 300 to chase.

But the left-handed De Kock took charge early in the Proteas innings, slamming John Hastings for a six and a four in the second over to stamp his authority. After racing to 42 off 31 balls, De Kock received excellent support from new opener Rilee Rossouw, who quickly caught up with his partner by moving from 19 to 43 in just 15 balls, with the hundred coming up off 12 overs.

De Kock went full steam ahead in the 17th over when he hit Scott Boland for a six over midwicket and then a trademark straight drive for four.

Rossouw reached his 50 off just 36 balls, but lost his wicket when spinner Adam Zampa trapped him lbw for a well-played 63 off 45 balls (10x4, 1x6).

De Kock then consolidated a bit with captain Faf du Plessis, but once he reached the 90s, it was time to unleash. He went to his 11th ODI century in style, hitting Daniel Worrall for two sixes to reach his milestone off just 74 balls.

That was the point to go into overdrive, and De Kock dispatched Zampa for three fours, and later Mitchell Marsh travelled for two fours and a six to bring up the 24-year-old’s highest ODI score of 140, surpassing his previous best of 138 against England.

The contest was over by then, and it was just a matter of whether De Kock could reach a double hundred and break Gary Kirsten’s South African record of 188 not out.

He looked to be well on his way there when he nearly did “a Herschelle Gibbs” by hitting Zampa for three consecutive sixes at the start of the 30 th over, but he couldn’t go all the way for six in a row.

But De Kock had reached 166 by then, and proceeded to hit Marsh for his 11th maximum of the night in the next over. Unfortunately his momentum was hampered by captain Faf du Plessis labouring to 26 off 36 balls, and then JP Duminy stroked two boundaries.

De Kock eventually perished for 178 off 113 balls when he pulled Boland to square leg to be caught by Travis Head on the boundary, and even though he didn’t go past Kirsten or get to 200, it was an innings that will be remembered forever by those who were in the crowd.

Earlier, Andile Phehlukwayo was the leading bowler for the Proteas when he claimed 4/44 in his 10 overs. Only he and leg-spinner Imran Tahir emerged with any credit as the likes of George Bailey (74) and John Hastings (51) pushed Australia to 294/9 in their 50 overs.

The 20-year-old Phehlukwayo bowled with great control and variety with his fast-medium deliveries, but Dale Steyn (2/65 in 10 overs), Kagiso Rabada (0/63 in 10) and Wayne Parnell (1/56 in seven) battled to find the ideal lines and lengths on a good pitch for batting.

But Proteas coach Russell Domingo will be pleased to get off to a winning start ahead of Sunday’s second ODI at the Wanderers (10am start).

[email protected]

@ashfakmohamed

Independent Media

Related Topics: