South Africa keeper-batter Quinton de Kock credited the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) experience for his game-changing inning against England in their crucial Super 8 T20 World Cup clash in St. Lucia. De Kock slammed an impressive 65 off 38 balls, with most of his runs coming inside the first six overs, which later turned out to be the difference as Proteas beat England by seven runs in a thriller.

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Having played seven matches for Barbados Royals in CPL 2022, three of which were played at Gros Islet – two day games and one under the lights, De Kock knew the par score (163/6) during morning matches would be significantly low in comparison to the ones played at night. 

Besides, he also knew that Powerplay was the best chance for him to score runs, where he hit 49 off 20 balls, including whacking sixes off Jofra Archer (twice) and one each to Moeen Ali and Sam Curran.

“I’ve played a lot of day T20 cricket in the West Indies, and generally that is the most important time to score runs,” De Kock said of his impactful knock against England in Super 8s.

“I don’t know if the rest of the guys knew, but I had a fair sense: I’ve played here quite a bit in the Caribbean league, and it’s the same thing: the wicket looks beautiful. At night, it plays most different, but in the day, 160-170 are winning scores here in the day. Generally, it goes like that in the Caribbean: I think the lights and maybe a bit of dew at night help the ball skid on a bit better.

“The easier time to score runs is in the Powerplay. When the ball’s old and as the wicket deteriorates, it gets harder,” he continued.

‘Powerplay was the difference’

Although 160-plus looked chaseable on the wicket on which England hammered West Indies in the run-chase in their previous game, they failed to get past the winning line despite a stunning 78-run stand for the fifth wicket between Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone.

Reflecting on the nature of this wicket, England Captain Jos Buttler said, “It looked a similar wicket. This has been, so far in the tournament, the best batting pitch… I think the wicket was probably a little bit slower than everyone expected. 160 was about a par score. We bowled really well in the back 10-15 overs to restrict them,” he added.

Speaking highly of De Kock’s knock in the Powerplay, Butter continued, “I felt like the Powerplay was the difference in the game, and the way Quinny (De Kock) could bat at the rate that none of us could bat at… I think the way Quinny played at the top really put us under a lot of pressure.”

Meanwhile, England and South Africa are in the race for a semis spot. England will face the USA in their final Super 8 match, while South Africa and West Indies will square off in a virtual knockout in their slated tie. 

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