On Thursday, South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock fell five runs short of his century (95) after taking his team out of trouble. The Proteas were 111/5 when the aggressive left-hander arrived on the crease.
De Kock applied the counter-attack strategy to rescue his team from the tribulation. He made a crucial partnership with all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius to put pressure back on England. The duo added 87 runs before Sam Curran bowled a back of a length delivery outside off stump to send Pretorius back into the pavilion.
De Kock was looking set and cruising on to make his third Test century of 2019, but the left-arm medium-pacer Curran had some other plans.
During the 72nd over of South Africa’s innings, Curran bowled a delivery outside off-stump with a hint of swing. De Kock flirted, and a small feather outside edge went straight into the hands of Jos Buttler. The disappointment was clearly visible as he walked down to the pavilion holding the bat over his neck.
#Mood rn🙆♂️
Well played @QuinnyDeKock69 👏#ProteaFire | #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/L3wfE5ChyM
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 26, 2019
When it comes to England, their bowlers had an excellent day. Curran was outstanding throughout the day. The Surrey cricketer dismissed four African batters, whereas Stuart Broad went on to take three wickets.
James Anderson, on the other hand, registered his name in the record books as he became the second English cricketer and ninth overall, to play 150 matches in Test cricket.
At stumps, South Africa reached the 277 run-mark at a loss of nine wickets.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
OUT!!
De Kock falls for 95 – @CurranSM has his fourth wicket.
Follow LIVE:https://t.co/fgnXNDOHxn pic.twitter.com/OJ8Qc4hPct
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 26, 2019
I feel your pain @QuinnyDeKock69
#95 😌💔…. but how outstanding has @CurranSM been wow 🔥🔥🔥🔥…. #SAvsENG #BoxingDayTest2019…..— Tino95 (@tinobest) December 26, 2019
150 Test Caps for @jimmy9 .. Extraordinary achievement .. Especially for someone from Burnley !!!
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 26, 2019
📂 Cricket
└📁 England
└📁 Bowlers
└📁 ‘Makes Things Happen’
└📁 Sam Curran#SAvENG #SMSports pic.twitter.com/Ttohw9dcAL— Aidan Hother (@AidanHother) December 26, 2019
Stumps – day 1 | SA: 277-9
An exciting day of test cricket.
All three sessions had a shift in momentum with each team trying to make their mark on this match.
Two players shone above the rest today.
🏏 de Kock – 95(128)
🏏 Curran – 4/57 #ProteaFire #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/FfyyyTtHkw
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 26, 2019
Six 50+ scores in 8 innings for Quinton de Kock, he now averages nearly 70 #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/MzTE029jr9
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/KP24/status/1210098859046772736
I’ve not seen a cricketer ahead of his years at test level as much as @CurranSM – smart, intelligent and skillful. #engvsa
— Nick Compton (@thecompdog) December 26, 2019
Immense words and an even more immense achievement!
The moment @jimmy9 received his 150th Test cap from @nassercricket 🙌#SAvENG pic.twitter.com/4vDbO3g0mZ
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/hershybru/status/1210222931474702336
What a talent @CurranSM is 🙌 pic.twitter.com/gyxmTLcFKG
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) December 26, 2019
Sam Curran is a lovely bowler to watch. So understated yet so dangerous.
— Shane Ireland (@_ShaneIreland) December 26, 2019
