Paarl (South Africa)
South Africa’s Quinton de Kock claimed he had not felt under pressure as captain after a tense one-run win in a Twenty20 international against England earlier this month.
“I was still calm the whole way,” he said, citing confidence in the knowledge his players understood if they stuck to the basics they could prevail in a tight finish.
De Kock’s calmness has been tested considerably since then – and the challenge is set to be ratcheted up in a three-match one-day series against Australia, starting at Boland Park in the Cape Winelands on Saturday.
On the face of it, De Kock, 27, has been handed an almost impossible task. Several of South Africa’s most experienced players, including former captain Faf du Plessis, fast bowler Dale Steyn and consistent scorer Rassie van der Dussen, have been rested.
Aaron Finch will be leading what looks like a full-strength touring side with the exception of Glenn Maxwell, who is missing because of surgery.
Steve Smith and David Warner, who returned to the scene of the sandpaper scandal in Wednesday’s victory at Newlands retain their places.
Already this season, De Kock has carried the burden of being South Africa’s best batsman as well as being wicketkeeper and skipper. South Africa’s crushing defeat in the third Twenty20 international against Australia earlier this week meant they have lost five out of six series across all formats since the start of their tour of India in September.
The only exception being a rain-affected one-day series against England. During that time they have won only five out of 17 completed matches.
In four of those wins De Kock has been South Africa’s top-scorer and in three of them he has been man of the match.—AFP
