South Africa’s captain in the ongoing ODI series against England, Quinton de Kock, achieved a special feat during his match-winning knock of 107 off 113 deliveries. De Kock becomes only the second wicketkeeper to score a century while captaining the side as an opener.
Adam Gilchrist is the first cricketer to have scored a ton while opening the batting as both captain and wicketkeeper. In the absence of Ricky Ponting, Gilchrist scored 116 against Sri Lanka in Perth ODI back in 2006.
De Kock, during his determined knock, smashed 11 boundaries and a maximum, stitching a massive partnership of 173 for the second wicket with Temba Bavuma. The right-hander fell short of his maiden ODI ton by just a couple of runs.
The finishing job was done well by Rassie van der Dussen, who scored a rapid 38, to take the hosts across the finishing line. In the end, it was an easy chase, completed within 48 overs and seven wickets in hand.
The South African chase also managed to achieve yet another feat. The 259-run chase by South Africa is now the highest ODI chase at the Newlands, surpassing their chase of 257 against New Zealand back in 2000.
Proteas go 1-nil up in the ODI series with two matches to go. The next ODI will be played at Kingsmead, Durban on February 7. Johannesburg will host the final game of the ODI leg of England’s tour of South Africa.
