Quinny hailed as he equals SA record

As he fittingly dived full-length for a superb catch in front of first slip to dismiss Tom Westley off Kagiso Rabada’s bowling on day one of the final Test against England at Old Trafford, he drew level with Mark Boucher for achieving the feat in his 23rd appearance.

He had been involved in all of the first three dismissals in England’s first innings after they won the toss, having started the Test on 97 victims.

The landmark (made up of 93 catches and seven stumpings) also meant that he and Boucher are second only to Adam Gilchrist among all international glovemen for speed to 100 dismissals - the great Australian, a player to whom De Kock is often compared as an all-round cricket package, got there in just his 22nd Test.

Another South African, David Richardson, and Aussie Wally Grout got to three figures in 24 matches each, just behind Boucher and De Kock.

The 24-year-old De Kock has not lit up the series with the bat thus far to the extent he might have liked - 160 runs at 26.66, well down on his career average of nearer 47 - but his ‘keeping has been both admirably consistent and marked by some sublime catches.

England legend and television commentator Ian Botham, soon after the dismissals landmark had been revealed, said De Kock had been “pretty special” in the series behind the stumps.

Colleague Mike Atherton, another former England captain, added: “You don’t want to edge it anywhere near De Kock … he has terrific footwork and is a great catcher of the ball one-handed.

“He has coped as well as any international wicketkeeper visiting here with the wobbling ball; he just looks the most natural of sportsmen.”

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