Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock isn’t perturbed by criticism on social media about his intelligence.

De Kock did not complete high school, but has forged a successful cricket career – and will be key to South Africa’s bid for a World Cup title in the United Kingdom later this year.

‘Of course I’m aware of it. But it doesn’t bother me anymore. People can say what they like, but I’m living my best life. If you’re the kind of person who feels brave insulting a stranger behind a keyboard, that says more about you than it does me,’ he told ESPNcricinfo’s The Cricket Monthly.

‘Me and books don’t get along. I didn’t need school or university to get where I am today. We joke in the dressing room that I might not have graduated from high school, but I have a master’s degree in cricket.’

The 26-year-old was involved in a confrontation with Australian cricketer David Warner during the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban in March 2018. That same tour saw Warner found guilty of ball-tampering during the final Test at Newlands in Cape Town.

‘What was said between David and myself should not be heard by young kids. A lot of people ask me what was said, but I’ve only shared that with a handful of people, and that won’t change. I don’t regret that it happened because it was necessary to stand up to Warner, who is just a bully, but I wasn’t proud of it either,’ added De Kock.

‘It’s not the person I want to be and I’ve worked hard to not repeat past behaviours. I’ve always been a feisty character, and when I was young I wasn’t afraid of sticking my face in tricky spots.’

Photo: Gallo