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De Kock dazzles on opening day of pink ball trial

Adelaide - Proteas wicketkeeper batsman, Quinton de Kock, continued with his prolific form to top-score with 122 off 103 balls on the opening day of the two-day pink ball tour match against a Cricket Australia XI at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

De Kock’s century propelled the Proteas to 415 all out (two retired out) at stumps, and capped a successful opening account against the untested pink ball. 

De Kock, who is suffering from a viral infection, looked unnerved during his first experience of day-night Test cricket, hitting 16 fours and three sixes to all parts of the ground before retiring out.

He was well supported by JP Duminy (97) during a 167-run seventh-wicket partnership, which flourished throughout the tricky twilight period.

Earlier, Hashim Amla (51) and Dean Elgar (43) stabilised the innings after the new ball swing accounted for Stephen Cook (5) and Rilee Rossouw (8) in the opening five overs.

The wickets were shared by the Cricket Australia XI bowlers, with fast bowler, Ryan Lees returning the most economical figures of 2/21 in 13 overs in a fast scoring innings.

“It took some getting used to out there with the pink ball but the wicket was quite nice so it made life a bit easier,” De Kock said after the day’s play.

“It was a new experience and quite nice to be part of it.”

The 23-year-old says he didn’t pick up much of a difference during the twilight period, especially after adapting to the ball early on in his innings.

“I actually thought it was quite nice during the twilight period,” he said.

“Early on it was about getting used to it, and I found that a little bit more difficult. But I think that’s part of any white ball, red ball cricket anyway - the first couple of balls - so I started getting used to it and started getting in it was much easier.

“I didn’t find the pitch slow, I found the outfield quite slow,” he explained.

“Normally you play on a (wicket) square back home where it’s easier to hit the boundaries, but this is a drop-in pitch so for us to hit the boundaries was a lot harder and that’s what made life a bit difficult. But that’s just something we have to take on board, talk about it and get used to.”

De Kock is unlikely to keep wicket due to his illness, and will be replaced by South Australia wicketkeeper, Harry Nielson.
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