Quinton de Kock credited his hundred in Kimberley to Neil McKenzie's mentorship. Photo: Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images.
As uncertainty continues over who Proteas coach Ottis Gibson will choose as his support staff at the end of the month, one man has possibly made a strong case to be retained.
Following his brilliant, unbeaten 168 in Sunday’s ODI victory over Bangladesh in Kimberley, Quinton de Kock credited current batting coach Neil McKenzie for his smashing effort.
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The Proteas wicketkeeper didn’t do much with the bat in the recently concluded Test series due to various factors.
However, that allowed him to iron out some technical issues.
“I didn’t get much chance to bat in the Test series,” said De Kock following the comprehensive 10-wicket win.
“I had some chance to do some technical work out in the nets with Neil. It was nice to get some batting under the belt.”
Gibson and Cricket South Africa mutually agreed before the start of the Bangladesh tour to keep the existing coaching group despite Russell Domingo’s departure.
The Proteas mentor subsequently praised the men’s work ethic but insists discussions are ongoing.
With Gibson’s specialisation area being bowling, it’s thought that Charl Langeveldt and to a lesser extent spin guru Claude Henderson aren’t guaranteed spots in future.
McKenzie would seem to have staked a stronger claim and De Kock’s praise will certainly help his cause.
Meanwhile, De Kock was typically chilled over his latest fireworks.
When he smashed his career-best 178 against Australia last year, he stated that he was “merely lucky” against a charitable visiting bowling attack.
It was pretty much the same case in the Northern Cape.
“It’s one hundred, I wouldn’t say it’s form. Anything can happen. But I’d like to keep it going and hopefully there are some more runs coming up,” said De Kock.
“We just went out to bat normally and get the team close to the target.”