South Africa’s 277/9 Thursday is how they wanted to enter the Test series with England at Centurion. But, for Quinton de Kock, this is not the worst way to start a party.
At a press conference after the stump, he said, “If we get to 300, it’s 50-50.” “It is 50-50 at the moment. Batting on the wicket can be a little difficult as the game goes on. When I am running, the ball was still, until I get out [on the 72nd]. Got more bounce.
De Kock was one of the only South Africans to complete 14/4 of an innings of 128/95 95, surpassing Tom Curran.
“I was just trying to show some intent, holding my head and getting out in the game,” said De Kock. “It started happening when I started finding the rhythm.”
The match is headed by South Africa’s head coach Mark Boucher, batting consultant Jacques Kallis, bowling consultant Consul Longveld, and cricket executive director Graeme Smith.
De Kock said he could feel the breeze of change in the dressing room: “I told Bouch, I feel like I’m making my debut again. We want to change things. A lot of things have happened. Things are done. We get off the field and we get energized again. There are structures and a lot of people.”
With Vernon Philander showing grit for his 28 not out, De Kock and the rest of the South African players suffered more than 300 – or something – when they lost their next wicket.