Centurion Quinton de Kock was at the fore of AB de Villiers’ praise, as the Tshwane Spartans slipped to defeat against the Cape Town Blitz at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Saturday.

De Kock welcomed the tournament’s second century, after Jozi Stars opener Reeza Hendricks struck the first against the Durban Heat at the Wanderers earlier this week.

‘Well done to Quinton – it was a great innings. It’s great for South African cricket that the two centuries have come from young batsmen in form. It shows a lot of depth in South African cricket,’ said De Villiers.

The hard-hitting left-hander claimed the Player of the Match award, after hitting 108, which spanned a mere 55 deliveries – and featured 10 fours and five sixes.

‘I was pretty calm. We bat quite deep, so I just knew with them coming we could get a big score. It wasn’t easy to bat, as they bowled really well up front. All we had to do was find a way to put pressure on them. It was just our day,’ added De Kock.

The result consolidated the Blitz’s position at the top of the six-team standings, while the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants are placed second.

‘We were under pressure. That bonus point win gives us confidence and now we have three home games coming,’ concluded captain Farhaan Behardien.

Photo: Gallo