We take a look at Quinton de Kock’s best innings’ which culminated in him winning five CSA awards, including the Cricketer of the Year.
De Kock helps the Proteas secure Australia series
In the series-deciding match against Australia in Hobart, De Kock put in a magnificent performance to lead the Proteas to victory. His 144-run partnership with Temba Bavuma helped South Africa take a hefty lead after skittling the Aussies for 85 in their first innings.
The 24-year-old hit 17 fours on his way to a 143-ball 104 and despite being bowled by Josh Hazlewood, helped the Proteas take a 241-run lead. The Proteas bowling attack destroyed the Baggy Greens for 161 in their second innings to claim the series with an 80-run victory.
Video: cricket.com.au
Bavuma and De Kock team up again
Quinton de Kock shared in an innings-resurrecting partnership with Bavuma. The pair came together at the wicket with South Africa struggling on 94-6. The 160-run partnership which followed brought the Proteas back into a game which they went on to win by eight wickets. De Kock’s 91 came off 118 balls and included ten fours and three sixes.
His innings laid the platform for a 91-run first innings lead before skittling the hosts for 171. The visitors chased 83 to claim a victory that proved decisive in the three-match series. SA went on to win the series 1-0, thanks to their win in this Test.
Video: Supersport
De Kock smashes 178 off 142 balls, the highest score at Centurion
Chasing a score of 294 to go 1-0 up in the five-match series, De Kock played arguably his finest One Day innings of his career. He and Rilee Rossouw got the hosts off to a flying start by adding 145 for the opening stand. Though Rossouw fell for a well-played 63, De Kock continued to put the Australian attack to the sword.
His sensational knock came off only 142 balls and featured a mind-boggling 16 fours and 11 sixes. He led his side to a six-wicket triumph and a 1-0 series lead. This was his highest career score and the highest score at Centurion.
Video: Click Sports
De Kock becomes the third-fastest South African to 3 000 runs
It was in the final match of South Africa’s whitewash against Australia that De Kock flourished once again. His 187 for the first-wicket with Amla gave the Proteas a blistering start as De Kock smashed an 87-ball 109 (13 fours). The 24-year-old’s exploits made him the third-fastest South African to 3 000 Test runs, behind Amla and Gary Kirsten, as SA set their 24th 350-plus total, the most by any side.
Video: Proteas Cricket
Stand-out season as a wicketkeeper
De Kock had an incredible season with the gloves and was responsible for 42 dismissals, including 39 catches and three stumpings. In particular, his two catches, one in the Australia and on in the New Zealand Test series, to dismiss Nathan Lyon and Neil Broom respectively, saw him nominated twice for the Award of Excellence at the CSA awards.
In the second Test against New Zealand, his catch to dismiss Broom for a duck on his debut, off the bowling of Kagiso Rabada, was outstanding, as he dove full-length to his right to grab one in front of first slip.
Video: Supersport
