'We need to find a partner for Quinton de Kock' - Herschelle Gibbs questions South Africa's opening combination
When one of the fans asked Gibbs who in his opinion should open with De Kock, the former swashbuckling batsman was quick to single out Jon-Jon Smuts
South Africa came ever so close towards taking an unassailable 0-2 lead in the three-match Twenty20 International series against England at Kingsmead in Durban but in the end, Tom Curran steely nerves and his perfect execution in the final over paved for a two-run English win, forcing the series into the decider on Sunday.
With 15 required off the last over, South Africa looked clear favourites to win the match after Rassie Van der Dussen smoked a four and a six to reduce the equation to 5 off 3 balls. But with three required off the last two deliveries, Tom Curran proceeded to nail a perfect yorker to Dwaine Pretorius to trap him a leg-before wicket.
The equation was down to 3 off the last delivery and with South Africa needing a boundary to win, Bjorn Fortuin did a ‘Misbah-Ul-Haq’ as he went for a paddle sweep but could not get past the short fine-leg fielder.
Earlier, Quinton de Kock gave his side another whirlwind start in their run-chase of 7-204. The South African captain went for the leather hunt from the very first ball and went on to rack up his half-century in a mere 17 deliveries- the fastest ever by a South African.
Herschelle Gibbs unhappy with Temba Bavuma opening the innings
De Kock [65 off 22 balls] innings glittered with just two fours but eight monstrous sixes before he finally holed out to Ben Stokes in an attempt to clear the rope once again. De Kock stitched a 92-run-stand with Temba Bavuma [31 off 29 balls] who played a perfect supporting role to his captain.
However, former South African opener Herschelle Gibbs is not too happy with Bavuma opening the batting. According to Gibbs, someone who has the ability to take on the opposition bowlers from the start should open with de Kock as it is putting a lot of pressure on the southpaw to go hammer and tongs.
“We need to find a partner for Quinny with the same mindset and who can put bowlers under pressure in ODI and t20s. To much pressure on him to get after the bowlers” Gibbs wrote on his Twitter account.
When one of the fans asked Gibbs who in his opinion should open with De Kock, the former swashbuckling batsman was quick to single out Jon-Jon Smuts as a potential option.
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