De Kock won’t be easing up
FIVE golden prizes at the CSA Awards evening at the Theatre on the Track in Kyalami on Saturday will not see Proteas superstar Quinton de Kock rest on his laurels.
Instead, the brilliant wicket-keeper/batsman believes there are still areas where he can improve his game moving forward. It certainly is a warning to the opposition, especially ahead of the all-important ICC Champions Trophy in the UK next month.
De Kock was just one award short of equaling his teammate Kagsio Rabada’s haul of six prizes last season by winning the Test Cricketer and ODI Cricketer of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year, Fan’s Player of the Year and the big one, the SA Cricketer of the Year award.
Imran Tahir spoiled De Kock’s clean sweep after the prolific leg-spinner was named the T20I Cricketer of the Year.
“It makes me enjoy the game more if I win individual accolades, but I just want to contribute, even if it’s just a run-out, I want to feel like I’ve done something to help the team,” De Kock said.
“Sometimes my technique isn’t the best on slow decks,” he continued. “Fast wickets are my game. I try and read what the bowlers do and play to that situation, but when the ball is turning excessively; I still have a lot to work on.”
Injury
De Kock is certainly looking forward to getting back on the field after missing the IPL due to a finger injury sustained on the New Zealand tour. Instead of slugging it out in India and being worn down by the hectic travel schedule around the subcontinent, De Kock spent his time recharging the batteries at his new house in Knysna and is now “100% fit and just ready to play”.
There’s no doubt De Kock will be one of the showstoppers at the ICC Champions Trophy, especially having also won the ICC ODI Player of the Year last year for his exploits in the limited-overs arena. De Kock was the quickest wicketkeeper-batsman to 3 000 ODI runs – even faster than the legendary Australian gloveman Adam Gilchrist.
The 24-year-old has certainly earned the respect of a worldwide audience with former Australian captain Ricky Ponting often comparing the young South African to his former teammate Gilchrist.
De Kock departs with the Proteas on Tuesday for a threeand-half month tour of the United Kingdom, which includes a three-match ODI series against England, the Champions Trophy, and a T20 series and last the much-anticipated four-match Test series against hosts England.