De Kock lays the foundation for Titans
THE CSA T20 Challenge is underway at St George's Park with the Titans edging out the Rocks, while Western Province blew away the Warriors in a record-breaking win.
IOL's Sport Zaahier Adams picks five “Plays of the Day' from the two matches on day three yesterday.
1. New role for De Kock
Arguably one of the most destructive T20 batters in the world and is often given the freedom to play the way he wants. It was, therefore, surprising to see Quinton de Kock take on the responsibility of playing the anchor role as he carried his bat throughout almost the entire Titans innings.
His 72 off 61 balls at a strike-rate of 118.03 was though the foundation on which his team built their eventual winning score of 158/2.
2. The return of the Cloete
There are many that would have already forgotten that Gihahn Cloete actually played a couple of T20Is for the Proteas.
He reminded everyone of his vast talent in his hometown yesterday when he outscored De Kock at the start of the Titans innings with a sublime 53 off just 41 balls.
3. Shut the blinds
Michael Copeland was the only SA Under19 player to fly straight from the Caribbean to St George's Park after the ICC U19 World Cup.
He came out with the biggest shades imaginable and seemed to be sleeping under them when he fluffed a catch in the outfield during The Rocks' fielding effort. However, he seemed to wake up with the bat as he almost took the Paarl side home with an entertaining 39 off 33 balls.
It's a good thing his side don't play again until Sunday so he can shut the blinds in his hotel room and get some much-needed rest.
4. What time does Barneys close?
The Gqeberha beachfront has a legendary watering hole known as Barneys and Richard Levi seemed intent to get there while they were still open yesterday afternoon.
Levi launched a thunderous assault on the Warriors bowlers in the PowerPlay by smashing 40 off just 17 balls to power up WP's run chase.
5. Swinging tunes
Cricket seemed to return to some form of normality when the famous St George's Park band was back and hitting out their swinging tunes.
It certainly felt like the good times were starting to return.