AUS vs SA: Quinton de Kock Speaks After Match-Winning Ton vs Australia, Says "We Are Keen To Prove Ourselves"

The 30-year-old South Africa National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock bagged the Player of the Match award for his batting masterclass in the 10th match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Thursday, October 12.

Quinton de Kock, who is set to retire from ODI cricket after the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, played a phenomenal knock in the match against Australia National Cricket Team.

De Kock provided his side with an awesome start as he stitched together 108 runs with skipper Temba Bavuma, who looked scratchy with the bat. He converted his start into a big score and smashed 109 runs off 106 balls, with 8 fours and 5 sixes.

Aiden Markram also played a wonderful knock of 56 runs while Heinrich Klaasen, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen, and David Miller chipped in with crucial runs to help South Africa score 311/7.

Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, Quinton de Kock said that they registered a great win over the Aussies. Quinton de Kock said:

“It was a great win for the boys, to be honest, we didn’t know how the pitch would play, we assessed the conditions beautifully and then applied ourselves well with the bat. The guys who spent time on the wicket got a hand on the conditions and then used their scoring options.”

311 was an above-par score – Quinton de Kock

The wicketkeeper-batter said that batting second in Lucknow becomes tough and they posted an above-par score in the match. He said:

“311 was an above-par score, I have played here for the Lucknow team (in the IPL), it becomes harder to bat second. The wicket does change a bit. It was sweaty and humid, the bowlers were on top of their game, no real loose balls and they picked early wickets.”

Quinton de Kock added that they are keen to prove themselves and they don’t look too far ahead and take it match by match. He said:

“I think we are keen to prove ourselves, we played well, but it’s just 2 games, the World Cup is a long tournament and games come quickly around, we will take it on a match-by-match basis.”

Chasing the target in the match only Marnus Labuschagne looked good among the batters as he scored 46 runs while the next two top performers were Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins who amassed 27 and 22 runs respectively. The Aussies kept struggling in the match and they were bundled out for 177 in 40.5 overs to face a huge loss.