De Kock glad of Caribbean experience as South Africa squeeze past England / Photo: Chandan Khanna - AFP
-
Roblox to launch wallet to pay creators faster and will allow off-platform gaming
-
Weapons, spyware and AI scams: Anthropic exposes Claude misuse
-
Springboks wary of new-look All Blacks in Baltimore test
-
Gary Oldman hopes Jack Lowden is the new James Bond
-
Townsend, Siniakova win US Open doubles for career Grand Slam together
-
Six-stop race is best on tyre-shredding Madrid track says Russell
-
Verstappen unimpressed with new Madrid street track
-
Prosecutors seek up to 10 years prison over violent burglary of Donnarumma
-
Razaullah heroics deny England quickfire win in 3rd Test against Pakistan
-
Solheim Cup on a knife-edge after Korda record
-
Masks banned at planned UK protests: police
-
Corruption probe targets Brazil presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro
-
Antonelli on top ahead of Ferraris in Madrid practice
-
New No.1 Rybakina out to thwart Sabalenka US Open three-peat bid
-
Dance Fitness Tempe Announces Expansion of Accessible Digital Movement Programs
-
US marks 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
-
Nashville airport to be renamed after Dolly Parton
-
'That's why we fight': Trump links 9/11 to Iran conflict
-
Argentina's Dirty War rears its head in Venice film
-
Europe saw record summer air traffic despite Mideast war: Eurocontrol
-
'Whatever we do is political' says Iranian director Asgari at Venice
-
De Zerbi coy over unsettled Richarlison's Spurs future
-
UK lawmakers throw out bill to legalise assisted dying
-
Brazil president candidate Flavio Bolsonaro targeted in corruption probe
-
Relatives of 9/11 victims hit out at Saudi Arabia -- and US leaders
-
England dismiss Pakistan's Masood to close on victory in 3rd Test
-
Egyptian teenager Abdelkarim to extend Barca deal to 2030
-
Oil prices, US inflation stoke Fed hike worries
-
Macau to hold closed-door trial in first national security case
-
Free-scoring Chelsea must tighten up, says Alonso
-
Philippines recovers 30 bodies from ferry after blaze
-
US inflation steady in August, fueling Fed rate hike expectations
-
Relative of 9/11 victim unleashes searing attack on Saudi Arabia
-
United boss Carrick dismisses Anderson's 'kings of Manchester' jibe
-
Russell edges Antonelli in accident-free opening practice in Madrid
-
New York marks 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
-
Sweden's outgoing PM wants to 'make Sweden great again'
-
Yemen's Houthis take over strait vital to global shipping
-
Fenced off: Thailand builds border wall after Cambodia clashes
-
Russia rolls out long-delayed 5G, but not for iPhones
-
Pakistan's Masood frustrates England's victory push in 3rd Test
-
DR Congo Ebola outbreak spreads to 7th province
-
Revitalised Isak in a 'good place' at Liverpool: Iraola
-
Turning up the heat: Arteta reveals 'challenges' for Arsenal stars
-
Arsenal boss Arteta 'very surprised' at Jesus blast over Barcelona move
-
F2 crash in Madrid underlines fears over 'riskiest track'
-
Czech antitrust office lets Turkey's Pegasus Airlines buy Smartwings
-
Nepal flood reconstruction bill to be $4.78 bn: foreign ministry
-
Maresca says spotlight not on him ahead of Manchester derby
-
Investors on edge as energy costs, surging bond yields roil markets
De Kock glad of Caribbean experience as South Africa squeeze past England
South Africa star Quinton de Kock said knowledge of Caribbean conditions helped him propel the Proteas to a competitive total as they edged defending champions England by seven runs in a dramatic Super Eights clash to remain unbeaten at the T20 World Cup.
The opener's typically dashing 65 was the cornerstone of South Africa's seemingly modest 163-6 after they lost the toss in a daytime game in St. Lucia on Friday.
Fine bowling and fielding then reduced England to 61-4 before a stand of 78 between Harry Brook (53) and Liam Livingstone (33) took the title-holders close.
But Anrich Nortje denied England the 14 runs they needed off the last over as they finished on 156-6 and the Proteas edged closer to the semi-finals after a second win in two Super Eights games.
Afterwards, England captain Jos Buttler said the powerplay had been decisive, with South Africa 63-0 off the first six overs compared to their opponents' 41-1.
"Obviously, it makes a massive impact," said De Kock, 31.
"I've played a lot of day T20s in the West Indies (in the Caribbean Premier League) and generally that is the most important time to score runs," explained the left-hander, whose 38-ball innings featured four fours and four sixes.
"The wicket looks beautiful at night, plays much differently, but 160-170 are winning scores here in the day."
Buttler, reflecting on the match, said: "I'd say it was lost in the powerplay...The way Quinny played at the top really put us under a lot of pressure, he played some great shots and we were unable to do that."
Brook almost turned the game England's way before he fell off the first ball of the last over when South Africa captain Aiden Markram held a superb running catch over his shoulder.
"It was a great catch and that's what South Africa have prided themselves on over a long period of time," said Buttler.
"They've always had great fielders, you think of Jonty Rhodes, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers. They've always been a great fielding team."
England, however, remain in semi-final contention as they head into their next match against the United States in Barbados on Sunday.
"We're still in it and we're looking ahead to the next one," said Buttler.
South Africa take on the West Indies in their final Super Eights game in Antigua on the same day.
E.Qaddoumi--SF-PST
