“You've caught the World Cup,” somebody should have said to Quinton de Kock in the second over of SA’s World Cup quarterfinal against Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday, even if the original version of that story is more fiction than fact.
Steve Waugh did not say the opposite to Herschelle Gibbs, when the latter prematurely tossed a catch skyward in celebration during SA’s Super Six match against Australia at Headingley in the 1999 World Cup. Instead of into the heavens, the ball dribbled to earth.
Waugh, who had taken guard with Australia 48/3 chasing 272, was 56 not out when Gibbs botched the catch. He was 120 not out when they won by five wickets.
The sting in the tale has overshadowed considerations like the truth. But, when De Kock dived to take, almost drop, then take again the catch that removed Kusal Perera and strike the first blow in SA’s demolition of Sri Lanka’s respected batting line-up on Wednesday, a sidelong reference to the Waugh story would have been apt.
That said, who knew then that SA would dismiss the Lankans for 133? And who would have put money on De Kock breaking out of the slump that limited his contribution to 53 runs in six innings in a World Cup quarterfinal? De Kock scored an undefeated 78, 48 of them in boundaries.
Gone was the tentative edger who, just an innings previously, would have been better served wearing a life-jacket than a pair of pads.
With SA chasing so small a target, De Kock was under minimal pressure. But he is back, and with a bang. And just in time for the semifinals at Eden Park in Auckland on Tuesday, when all the boundaries – not only the short straight fences – will be in danger of being breached by his broadsword bat.
“We all go through patches like he did in this tournament,” said AB de Villiers. “We’ve all been in dark spaces. A lot of credit goes to the selectors and the coach, and the guys who kept backing him. I think they must have been tempted a few times to let him go and maybe for me to take the (wicketkeeping) gloves, but it was a great call from them to stick with him.
“And the way he batted with confidence was amazing.”
l Defending world champions India beat Bangladesh by 109 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday in the quarterfinals.
India made 302/6 from their 50 overs with Rohit Sharma top scoring with 137 off 126 balls. Suresh Raina was the next best with 65.
In reply, Bangladesh were bowled out for 193 in 45 overs with Nasir Hossain top scoring with 35.
India will play either Australia or Pakistan in the second semifinal in Sydney next week. — Reuters
De Kock playing it like a man on fire
Steve Waugh did not say the opposite to Herschelle Gibbs, when the latter prematurely tossed a catch skyward in celebration during SA’s Super Six match against Australia at Headingley in the 1999 World Cup. Instead of into the heavens, the ball dribbled to earth.
Waugh, who had taken guard with Australia 48/3 chasing 272, was 56 not out when Gibbs botched the catch. He was 120 not out when they won by five wickets.
The sting in the tale has overshadowed considerations like the truth. But, when De Kock dived to take, almost drop, then take again the catch that removed Kusal Perera and strike the first blow in SA’s demolition of Sri Lanka’s respected batting line-up on Wednesday, a sidelong reference to the Waugh story would have been apt.
That said, who knew then that SA would dismiss the Lankans for 133? And who would have put money on De Kock breaking out of the slump that limited his contribution to 53 runs in six innings in a World Cup quarterfinal? De Kock scored an undefeated 78, 48 of them in boundaries.
Gone was the tentative edger who, just an innings previously, would have been better served wearing a life-jacket than a pair of pads.
With SA chasing so small a target, De Kock was under minimal pressure. But he is back, and with a bang. And just in time for the semifinals at Eden Park in Auckland on Tuesday, when all the boundaries – not only the short straight fences – will be in danger of being breached by his broadsword bat.
“We all go through patches like he did in this tournament,” said AB de Villiers. “We’ve all been in dark spaces. A lot of credit goes to the selectors and the coach, and the guys who kept backing him. I think they must have been tempted a few times to let him go and maybe for me to take the (wicketkeeping) gloves, but it was a great call from them to stick with him.
“And the way he batted with confidence was amazing.”
l Defending world champions India beat Bangladesh by 109 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday in the quarterfinals.
India made 302/6 from their 50 overs with Rohit Sharma top scoring with 137 off 126 balls. Suresh Raina was the next best with 65.
In reply, Bangladesh were bowled out for 193 in 45 overs with Nasir Hossain top scoring with 35.
India will play either Australia or Pakistan in the second semifinal in Sydney next week. — Reuters
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