In a thrilling T20 World Cup second round clash on Wednesday, Quinton de Kock’s explosive half-century propelled South Africa to an 18-run victory over a determined United States team at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
South Africa, after being sent in to bat, amassed a formidable total of 194-4 in their 20 overs. De Kock, the Proteas’ leading run-scorer in the format, delivered a standout performance, scoring 74 off just 40 balls.
His innings included seven fours and five sixes, marking his best performance of the tournament so far. This was a significant turnaround for the 31-year-old, who had struggled in his previous four World Cup innings with a top score of only 20 against Sri Lanka.
“We’ve had some tricky wickets so it was nice to spend some time in the middle today. The USA put us under pressure towards the end. It was a great game,” De Kock remarked after the match, reflecting on South Africa’s challenging first round on the slower pitches in the US.
The USA, who had shocked former champions Pakistan in the first round, came close to another upset. Despite a challenging target, they managed to score 176-6, thanks largely to a valiant sixth-wicket partnership.
Andries Gous was the star for the USA, remaining unbeaten on 80, while Harmeet Singh contributed a quickfire 38. Together, they put on 91 runs, keeping the American hopes alive until the closing stages of the match.
South Africa’s bowling unit held their nerve, however, to restrict the USA’s charge and secure the win as the Super Eights stage got underway. This victory provides the Proteas with a solid start in the second round, boosting their confidence for the upcoming matches.
The encounter at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium highlighted the unpredictability and excitement of T20 cricket, showcasing stellar individual performances and the competitive spirit of both teams.
