UAE women's cricket team turned their fortunes around with a memorable triumph in Namibia
sports2 days ago
South Africa stand-in captain Aiden Markram paid tribute to Quinton de Kock on Tuesday, describing the match-winning batsman as a "free spirit" who should be allowed "to fly".
De Kock hit 174, his third century in five matches, to lead South Africa to 382-5 in their World Cup match against Bangladesh before the team completed a 149-run rout.
For all De Kock is renowned as an outstanding shot-maker, Markram -- who himself made a stylish 60 during a stand of 161 with the left-hander -- said there was more to the 30-year-old's game than sheer natural ability.
"We all know Quinton to be the free-spirited guy that he is, but he actually has a fantastic cricket brain on him," said Markram.
"He assesses conditions really well and communicates that to us off the field even before we've walked out to bat.
"So, it adds a lot of value in that regard. And then you never want to clip his wings really. You just want to let him fly."
Heinrich Klaasen marked his return to Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium with 90, just days after his century in a 229-run thrashing of reigning champions England, as the Proteas smashed 144 runs off the last 10 overs.
Bangladesh were never in the hunt, only a hundred from 37-year-old Mahmudullah delaying a loss that had long looked inevitable.
De Kock, in what he has said will be his last major one-day international event, has now surpassed Virat Kohli as the tournament's leading scorer with 407 runs to the India star's 354.
However, he played down his innings, which followed scores of 100 and 109 during South Africa's opening two matches against Sri Lanka and Australia.
"To be honest I am a bit more tired than satisfied. It was a great day out for the guys," he said.
De Kock was then off the field for the entire Bangladesh innings following a bout of cramp, with Klaasen deputising as wicketkeeper.
"He has been amazing, I need some of the juice he is having!," said De Kock of Klaasen.
"He has been really special this year and long may it carry on."
The one downside for South Africa as they recorded a fourth win in five World Cup matches was that, having reduced Bangladesh to 58-5, they were kept waiting until the 47th over for victory.
South Africa arrived in India without Anrich Nortje after the fast bowler was ruled out due to a back injury.
But Markram was not too concerned by how they bowled late on.
"Mahmudullah played fantastically well. You are never practising in a match but we thought we would switch to 'death bowling' with him.
"But if it goes wrong, the ball tends to disappear."
UAE women's cricket team turned their fortunes around with a memorable triumph in Namibia
sports2 days ago
Winners edge out Stuart Smith’s squad by a hair in a thrilling 21-team showdown at Yas Links Abu Dhabi as Jackson Bell wins Individual Title
sports2 days ago
Many City players, including Kevin De Bruyne, Manuel Akanji, and Bernardo Silva, have voiced concerns about the crammed calendar this season
sports2 days ago
Eleonora clinched the win at the Grand Prix Stuttgart & Region, with a decisive strong sprint
sports2 days ago
The F1 championship continues at the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend
sports2 days ago
The Northern Ireland star expresses disappointment in the loss but focuses on positives ahead at Wentworth
sports2 days ago
Teammate Rashed Al Qemzi stays on course for a record fifth title triumph in the UIM F2 World Championship
sports3 days ago
The pair tangled while battling for third place behind winner Oscar Piastri of McLaren and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc
sports3 days ago