Publications
Partners
Cape Town - The Proteas are aware of the hard work ahead against a 'determined' Australian line-up as they search for victory in the second Test match at the Blundstone Arena in Hobart.
Wicket-keeper batsman, Quinton de Kock, has stressed the
importance of breaking the unbeaten 42-run stand between in-form batsmen Usman
Khawaja (56 not out) and Steve Smith (18 not out), as the bowlers look to make
inroads in conducive conditions.
De Kock, whose second Test century was the highlight on the
rain-affected third day, teamed up with Temba Bavuma (74) in a record 144-run
sixth-wicket partnership to give the Proteas the upper-hand in the
series-deciding encounter.
“We are confident, but it’s not going to be easy,” De Kock
said on Monday. “The Aussies are batting really well on that wicket. We are
going to have to see what happens tomorrow. Usman is batting exceptionally
well, he has a good game plan and Steve Smith, as always, is contributing to
the team. They are only two wickets down with a lead of 120 or so, there is
still a lot of work ahead of us but we are still fairly confident
“As a player, I always take a lot of satisfaction when
contributing to the team in any match or any format,” he said of his hundred.
“I’m happy with what we have achieved but the game has only just gone past
half-way, we still have a lot to do. Australia look determined in their second
innings, there is a lot to play for, hopefully we can counter that tomorrow.”
De Kock’s role and impact in the lower-order has been
compared to that of former Australian wicket-keeper batsman, Adam Gilchrist,
because of his attacking nature and his ability to change the pace of play. His
century came off only 139 balls, a fluent innings after the disappointment of
failing to convert his two-half centuries in the first Test in Perth.
“I don’t try to be like him, that is just the way I play,” he said of the comparison. “I don’t see myself like him, I just see the ball and hit the ball. I have my own game plans, that’s the way I like to play. Some days I can get off to a good start and keep a good momentum for the team and some days I’m going to have to grind it out. Certain conditions will determine how I play.”
