Proteas wicketkeeper takes sensational catch to remove Virat Kohli, but it’s not enough to avoid a third consecutive defeat
De Kock’s classic lights up gloomy day for SA
Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock lit up an otherwise gloomy day for South Africa in Southampton, taking a sensational catch to remove India's Virat Kohli for 18 in their World Cup match at the Rose Bowl.
De Kock was airborne as he flew towards first slip to grab the ball after Kohli had edged behind from a rising delivery by paceman Andile Phehlukwayo.
Image Id: 3A169DD3352B48A5AE3191569C5DD439 Image Caption: Kohli watches and de Kock pouches the catchKohli returned to the pavilion to stunned silence from a large crowd dominated by Indian fans.
It’s the first time that Kohli has not started the World Cup with a century after reaching triple figures in his first matches of the 2011 and 2015 tournaments.
Image Id: 0D5350332EB3453BB20ACA9C376668B9 Image Caption: A stunned Kohli walks off the Rose Bowl // GettyThe stunning effort from De Kock though wasn’t enough to change the Proteas' fortunes, however, as India chased down their modest target of 228.
It was an otherwise disappointing day for South Africa in the field; skipper Faf du Plessis wasn’t able to reel in a difficult chance offered by century-maker Rohit Sharma when he was on just one, while David Miller later spilled a simple chance to give Rohit another life after he’d posted three figures.
But the brilliant effort from de Kock will give Ben Stokes some competition for the catch of the tournament.
The English allrounder took a spectacular one-handed catch in the outfield during his team's win against South Africa in the tournament opener last week.
2019 World Cup
Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets
June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge
June 9: India v Australia, The Oval
June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton
June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval
June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge
June 25: England v Australia, Lord's
June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)
July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)
July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford
July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston
July 14: Final, Lord's
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For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE