CENTURION: A maiden T20 International(T20I) century by Quinton de Kock underpinned a record-breaking chase by the Proteas as they levelled the KFC T20I series 1-1 against West Indies at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday.
The left-hander blasted exactly 100 balls (44 balls, 9 fours, 8 sixes) – the second fastest by a South African and joint-sixth fastest ever – as the hosts pulled off a remarkable chase of 259, the highest ever recorded in the international game, reaching the target with seven balls to spare.
Along the way, De Kock also reached 50 in just 15 balls, becoming the fastest by a Protea to reach that landmark as he surpassed his own mark of 17 balls against England in Durban in 2020.
His feat came after Johnson Charles had earlier gone even quicker when he reached 100 in just 39 balls on his way to 118 (46 balls, 10 fours, 11 sixes) that helped the tourists amass 258 for five.
But that total failed to deter the South Africans as they won what turned out to be comfortably to ensure the series goes to a decider in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
It was a remarkable game that saw all the bowlers punished, with Kagiso Rabada’s none for 39 in four overs proving the most economical after the home side had won the toss and opted to bowl first.
The visitors lost Brandon King (1) early when he was dismissed by Wayne Parnell (2/43), before Charles and Kyle Mayers (51 off 27 balls, 5 fours, 4 sixes) combined for a 135-run second wicket stand that left their side on 137 for one just on the halfway mark. Although the latter then departed followed shortly after by Nicholas Pooran (2), both to Marco Jansen (3/52), Johnson continued the carnage to become the fastest man from his country to reach three figures and joint second overall.
He also fell to pick of the bowlers Jansen, but captain Rovman Powell (28 off 19 balls), Romario Shepherd (41* off 18 balls) and Odean Smith (11*) drove their side to a record high score at SuperSport Park.
South Africa’s reply got off to a dream start thanks to De Kock and Reeza Hendricks, who also played his part in the sensational chase by scoring 68 off just 28 balls (11 fours, 2 sixes). The pair put on 152 together, the fourth biggest of all time for South Africa. They also scored a stunning 102 in the powerplay and 149 in the first 10 overs, the highest ever in T20Is.
De Kock eventually fell in the 11th over and there was still significant work to do. Rilee Rossouw kept the pace with 16 off just four balls, before he fell along with Hendricks to threaten the course of the game.
But captain Aiden Markram, helped by Heinrich Klassen (16* off 7 balls), kept his cool with a rather calm 38 not out off 21 balls to take their side to victory with more than an over to spare.
Proteas T20I squad against West Indies
Aiden Markram (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sisanda Magala (DP World Lions), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Dafabet Warriors), Wayne Parnell (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Rilee Rossouw (ITEC Knights), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors).
South Africa KFC Twenty20 International Series against West Indies
Saturday, 25 March
South Africa lost to West Indies by three wickets – SuperSport Park, Centurion
Sunday, 26 March
South Africa beat West Indies by 5 wickets – SuperSport Park, Centurion
Tuesday, 28 March
South Africa vs West Indies – DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Cricket came to South Africa during the Napoleonic Wars and with the British forces occupying South Africa. The first match recorded was in 1808 in Cape Town between two service teams, for a prize of one thousand rix-dollars.
The oldest cricket club in South Africa is the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, founded in 1843. Few clubs in the world can boast such a long existence. The first championship was held in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) in 1876 for the “champion bat.” Competing teams were Cape Town, Grahamstown, King Williams Town, and Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). It was won by King Williams Town and the year after that too.
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Alan Straton
Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth.
Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
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Alan Straton
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