De Kock happy with Caribbean experience as South Africa overtakes England

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia (AFP) – South African star Quinton de Kock said knowledge of Caribbean conditions helped him propel the Proteas to a competitive total as they defeated defending champions England by seven points in a dramatic Super Eight match to remain undefeated in the Twenty20 World Cup.

The opener’s typically boisterous 65 was the cornerstone of South Africa’s seemingly modest 163-6 after they lost the toss in a daytime match in St Lucia on Friday.

Fine bowling and fielding then reduced England to 61-4, before a score of 78 between Harry Brook (53) and Liam Livingstone (33) brought the title holders close.

But Anrich Nortje denied England the 14 runs they needed in the final over as they finished on 156-6 and the Proteas moved closer to the semi-finals after a second win in two Super Eights matches.

Afterwards, England captain Jos Buttler said the powerplay had been decisive, with South Africa 63-0 after the first six overs, compared to their opponents’ 41-1.

“It clearly has a huge impact,” says De Kock (31).

“I have played a lot of day T20s in the West Indies (in the Caribbean Premier League) and generally that is the most important time to score runs,” explained the left-hander, whose 38-ball innings featured four fours and fours. sixes.

“The wicket looks beautiful at night, plays very differently, but during the day 160-170 scores win.”

Reflecting on the match, Buttler said: “I would say it was lost in the powerplay… The way Quinny played at the top really put us under a lot of pressure, he played some great shots and we couldn’t do that. ”

Brook almost turned the match England’s way before falling off the first ball of the last over when South African captain Aiden Markram held a superb running catch over his shoulder.

“It was a great catch and one that South Africa has been proud of for a long time,” Buttler said.

“They have always had great field players, think Jonty Rhodes, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers. They have always been a great fielding team.”

However, England remain in semi-final contention as they head into their next match against the United States in Barbados on Sunday.

“We’re still in it and we’re looking ahead to the next one,” Buttler said.

South Africa will take on the West Indies in their final Super Eights match in Antigua on the same day.