De Kock's small comfort after Kandy defeat

Cape Town - The result may not have gone his way, but Proteas opener Quinton de Kock reached a significant milestone in Kandy on Wednesday.

READ: Captain Quinny reacts to Proteas loss

De Kock captained the Proteas for the first time in the 4th ODI as the visitors fell to a 3-run (D/L) loss in a rain-affected clash that was disrupted numerous times by the wet weather. 

It wasn't the result that De Kock would have wanted in his first match in charge, but there was at least some comfort for the 25-year-old. 

In his brief but entertaining knock of 23 (13), De Kock became the 6th-fastest batsman in the history of ODI cricket to pass 4 000 runs. 

It has taken the wicketkeeper just 94 innings to reach that milestone, and only 5 other cricketers have done it quicker. 

De Kock's opening partner Hashim Amla has set the standard and leads the way on that list having reached 4 000 runs in just 81 innings. 

Viv Richards is 2nd having done it in 88 innings. 

Both De Kock and Amla have shown glimpses of their best form in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, confirming that they are still South Africa's best bet as an opening pair heading into next year's 2019 World Cup in England.

Fastest batsmen to 4 000 ODI runs:

1. Hashim Amla - 81 innings

2. Viv Richards - 88 innings 

3. Joe Root - 91 innings

4. Virat Kohli - 93 innings

5. David Warner - 93 innings

6. Quinton de Kock - 94 innings

7. Shikhar Dhawan - 95 innings

8. Gordon Greenidge - 96 innings

9. Kane Williamson - 96 innings

10. Brian Lara - 100 innings