Photo Credit: SA20 League
Quinton de Kock just wanted to remind everyone “who the boss is” after driving Durban’s Super Giants to the top of the Betway SA20 log.
De Kock has been quiet during Season 2, even slipping down the DSG batting line-up, to give youngsters such as Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi the opportunity to open the batting.
But on Friday evening, De Kock let his bat do all the talking again with a barnstorming 83 not out off 51 balls to set up DSG’s convincing 57-run victory over Paarl Royals at Boland Park.
He certainly enjoyed his return to the form, having a few words with Royals all-rounder and Proteas teammate Andile Phehlukwayo, out in the middle.
“There is banter, just letting them know who the boss is (speaking about his chat with Phehlukwayo), we train a lot together and kind of understand each other, that does help a bit,” De Kock.
The experienced wicketkeeper-batter also clarified that it was his decision for coach Lance Klusener to move him down to the middle-order.
“I have told the coaches to put me at No 3 and No 4 and today it came off,” he said.
“It has been pretty relaxed. I have not got starts and I just needed something to click or spend some time in the middle.”
It certainly bodes well for DSG that De Kock has started to find the sweet spot heading into the playoffs.
DSG’s batting unit has been explosive all season, with Heinrich Klaasen once again showing off his unique finishing skills with 30 not out off only nine balls, but with De Kock also now firing, the sum of the parts are starting to come together for the Kingsmead-based side.
“Quinny showed he is a world class player once he found his rhythm,” Klaasen said. “He takes the game completely away from the opposition.
“A guy like Quinny is never out of form too long. He is a big match guy. I said to Morne (Morkel, DSG bowling coach) that even if he gets another five ducks, come the playoffs, you know Quinny will be right up there scoring runs.
“I am very happy that he got some runs because that puts him into a confident space coming into the latter end of the competition.”
Name of Author: SA20 League
SA20, officially known as the Betway SA20 for sponsorship reasons, is a Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament in South Africa organized by Cricket South Africa (CSA). First held in the 2023 season, the league features six city-based teams. Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the first two editions of the tournament.
