Quinton de Kock starred with the bat in South Africa’s resounding 149-run victory over Bangladesh in Match 23 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday (October 24).
Opening the innings, the southpaw slammed 174 off 140 balls with 15 fours and 7 sixes, helping the Proteas rack up a gigantic total of 382/5 on the board.
During his whirlwind knock, De Kock added 142 runs for the fourth wicket with Heinrich Klaasen, who returned with another swashbuckling knock of 90 in 49 deliveries.
Following the win, Quinton de Kock admitted to feeling a bit nervous before the start of the match.
“I was a bit nervous this morning, don't normally get nervous at all. I had a bit of fun, great to get two points. But I was a bit more tired than satisfied (after the innings),” the left-hander said in the post-match presentation.
De Kock was effusive in praise of Klaasen’s whirlwind batting display on a consistent basis in the ongoing World Cup.
“I need some of the juice he's having. He's been special, for every team he's played for. Taking the tournament by storm,” he remarked.
South African skipper Aiden Markram, who himself scored 60, hailed De Kock and Klaasen for their stunning knocks.
“What Quinny did was superb and then Klaasen walks in and smashes it. Everyone approaches it differently but it gels quite nicely. We keep striving to put in big performances,” said Markram.
Lungi Ngidi missed out on the Bangladesh clash due to a knee niggle and Markram hoped that the right-arm quick would be fit for the next match against Pakistan.
“Hopefully, he can recover well over the next couple of days and be ready for Pakistan,” he said.
Markram said South Africa are keen to do well while chasing down totals under lights as well.
“The more you win batting first the more you lean that way. But once we get one chase under the belt, and the blueprint, then hopefully, we'll be a good team at chasing.”
On the other hand, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan said they lost the match in the final 10 overs when De Kock and Klaasen decided to take the bowling attack to the cleaners.
“Quinton batted really well, and the way Klaasen finished was something we didn't have any answer to. We should've bowled better. We lost the game in the last 10 overs,” said Shakib.
It was Bangladesh’s fourth defeat in five World Cup games and they have now slipped to the last spot on the 10-team points table.
“Lot to be learnt, and lot to play for. We will love to finish 5-6 if not in the semis. We're not playing like a team that can do it, but hope to finish stronger,” Shakib added.
(With PTI inputs)
