Playing just his second ODI since reversing his international retirement in September, Quinton de Kock scored his first hundred in the format for two years in Faisalabad today (November 6).
De Kock scored his century as part of a dominant chase by the Proteas. Having restricted Pakistan to 269-9, thanks mostly to a four wicket haul from Nandre Burger, De Kock put on an 81-run stand with fellow opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius. After Pretorius was out for 46, De Kock became the main aggressor, and reached his half-century with a six over backward square off Faheem Ashraf. It was his second 50 in consecutive games after he made a half-century on ODI return in the first match of the series, which Pakistan won by two wickets.
After heading into the drinks interval on 98, De Kock survived an lbw review off the first ball back, before reaching his century two balls later. He brought up the milestone from his 96th ball at the crease, notching up his 22nd in the format and first since November 2023. South Africa chased the target two wickets down, De Kock ending unbeaten on 123.
De Kock finds form post retirement reversal
The wicketkeeper-batter announced that he was reversing his international white-ball retirement in September this year, having retired from ODI cricket after the 2023 World Cup. While he never officially retired from T20Is, he hadn't been included in a South Africa T20I squad since the 2024 T20 World Cup.
"When we spoke last month about his [De Kock's] future, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country," said South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad. "Everyone knows the quality he brings to the side, and having him back can only benefit the team."
De Kock played his first match back in a South Africa shirt in a one-off T20I against Namibia last month. He was out for 1 in a dramatic game which South Africa lost. He then made scores of 23, 7 and 0 in the T20I leg of the Pakistan tour before finding form in the first two ODIs.
After 157 ODIs, De Kock has 6,934 runs to his name and averages 46.53, with a strike rate of 96.62.
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