Quinton de Kock hit his second consecutive century at the 2023 Cricket World Cup on Thursday as South Africa made 311-7 in their group match against scrappy five-time champions Australia, dropping five catches. The 30-year-old De Kock reached his 19th ODI hundred off 90 balls with eight fours and five sixes, having also made a century in South Africa’s opening win over Sri Lanka. De Kock, who will retire from international cricket at the end of the tournament, batted in familiar surroundings at the Ekana Stadium where he plays in the IPL for the Lucknow Super Giants.
He was eventually dismissed for 109, bowled by off-spinner Glenn Maxwell as he tried to reverse the sweep in the 35th over.
“I’m tired of seeing him score runs, it feels like a lot has happened against us. He’s a superstar,” Maxwell said during the innings break.
— Jatin malu (Ja3) (@jatin_malu) October 12, 2023
South Africa were at 197-3 when De Kock departed before Aiden Markram took over.
After hitting the fastest World Cup century off just 49 balls in the win over Sri Lanka, Markram raced to 56, taking full advantage of Australian skipper Pat Cummins’ drop when he had taken just one single.
It was a miserable day in the field for Australia as South Africa captain Temba Bavuma was also dropped twice on 19 and 32.
Mitchell Marsh dropped Virat Kohli in their opening match when the Indian star was on 12. Kohli then made a match-winning 85.
Bavuma’s luck ran out on 35 when he was caught at midwicket by David Warner off Maxwell.
For De Kock, the skipper put on 108 for the first wicket.
After Markram was dismissed by Cummins, the Proteas saw Marco Jansen (26) and David Miller (17) take them past the 300 mark.
Both Miller and Jansen fell in the final, a maiden double-wicket bowled by Mitchell Starc.
They should have been sacked on the penultimate lap when Starc dropped Miller and Marcus Stoinis gave Jansen a lifeline, both from Cummins.
“They were well ahead and on course for more than 350, but in the last 15 overs we pulled it back well and took wickets regularly,” Maxwell added.
“We’re proud of how we made it back.”
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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