Cricket

South Africa's uncertainty over Quinton de Kock's international availability continues, with the star batter omitted from another T20I series. De Kock, who has not announced a complete retirement from international cricket, missed the recent T20s against West Indies and will not feature in the upcoming matches against Ireland.White-ball coach Rob Walter expressed uncertainty about de Kock's future with the national team. "I don't know, to be dead honest," Walter said. "For the next little while, there will be no conversations between myself and Quinny as to whether he wants to play for South Africa again."De Kock's absence has prompted South Africa to invest in other players, including Reeza Hendricks as an opener and Kyle Verreynne, Ryan Rickelton, and Heinrich Klaasen as wicketkeepers. However, Klaasen is currently unavailable due to personal reasons.Walter emphasized that de Kock's place in the team is not guaranteed, even if he expresses a desire to return. "There might be a conversation and also that conversation does initially mean it will lead to him being selected," Walter said. "We have to just allow him to have his space, to play league cricket and to do what he needs to do. What will become more and more important is performance."De Kock's decision to prioritize league cricket over international commitments has sparked a debate about the balance between franchise and national team obligations. South Africa's decision to allow de Kock to miss a bilateral series in the lead-up to the 2024 T20 World Cup was seen as a significant shift in their selection policy.Despite the uncertainty surrounding de Kock's future, South Africa remains focused on preparing for the 2026 T20 World Cup. They will play four T20Is at home against India in November as part of their preparations.

South Africa's hopes of retaining Quinton de Kock for white-ball cricket remain alive, as the national white-ball coach, Rob Walter, expressed optimism that the star batter may not have played his last T20I. De Kock, who retired from Tests in 2021 and ODIs at last year's World Cup, was expected to end his T20I career at the recent World Cup in West Indies and USA. However, Walter believes there may be more to come from the enigmatic player."Quinny's an enigma. He hasn't officially called time. So we have that little glimmer of hope that sits in the background," Walter said. "Quinny has very high standards for himself and has dreamed about a World Cup win for a very long time. Has had a number of knocks along the way, not least this last final, You would have seen that he was very emotional with it. Whether we see him again, time will tell."Walter has not yet discussed the matter with de Kock, but South Africa's next T20Is are not until August, and de Kock is not on the national contract list, meaning he is not obligated to be available for those games. However, his availability for future tournaments remains a possibility."I've had no conversations with him. It wasn't the right time after the final to have that conversation," Walter said. "So let me leave it at saying your guess is as good as mine."Meanwhile, David Miller has confirmed his continued availability for South Africa in T20Is, putting an end to speculation about his retirement. Miller's decision is significant, as it suggests he may also continue playing ODIs, which could be crucial for South Africa's preparations for the 2027 home World Cup.Walter identified the team's improved ability to stay in the game under pressure as the biggest improvement in his time in charge. "We've progressed, no doubt about that. This last World Cup, the team won small moments which in the past, potentially, haven't gone our way. There was huge resilience, we showed a large skill set and we encountered very different conditions from the start in New York to the back end of the competition so it showed great versatility as well. For me, the team is ever-growing. We've made strides, but by no means the finished article."South Africa's director of cricket, Enoch Nkwe, hailed the team's successive T20 World Cup finals appearances as a "massive mindset shift." "Reaching two finals in a short period of time goes to show the buy-in, not only from the two teams, but also from a system point of view. There's been quite a lot of work that's been done and builds towards this moment. We're heading in the right direction."

In a thrilling encounter at the T20 World Cup in St Lucia, South Africa emerged victorious over England by a narrow margin of seven runs. Quinton de Kock's scintillating half-century and a valiant bowling performance from the Proteas proved decisive in securing the win.South Africa's innings got off to a blistering start, with de Kock leading the charge with a superb 65 off 42 deliveries. However, England's bowlers fought back admirably, restricting the Proteas to 163/6. David Miller's late resistance (43 off 28 balls) helped South Africa post a competitive total.England's chase began cautiously, with Phil Salt dismissed early on by a stunning catch from Reeza Hendricks. Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler also fell cheaply, leaving England at 61 for four around the halfway mark.Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone then combined for a 78-run partnership that brought England back into the game. However, South Africa's bowlers held their nerve, with Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen bowling tight lines in the final overs. Anrich Nortje removed Brook in the last over, sealing the victory for the Proteas.South Africa's strategy of taking the pace off the ball proved effective, as England struggled to find boundaries between the fifth and the 12th over. The Proteas' fielding was also exceptional, with Hendricks' catch and a direct hit from Aiden Markram proving crucial.England's defeat leaves them with a mountain to climb in their quest to reach the semi-finals. South Africa, on the other hand, remain unbeaten in the tournament and are well-positioned to advance to the knockout stages.

South Africa and England Clash in Crucial Group 2 MatchAs the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup heats up, two former champions, South Africa and England, face off in a pivotal match that could determine the top of Group 2.South Africa, unbeaten so far, has faced challenges from both full members and Associates. Their batting has shown signs of vulnerability, with only Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram finding form. The middle order remains untested.England, on the other hand, has endured a rollercoaster ride. After a shaky start, they have bounced back with impressive victories. Their net run rate of 1.34 puts them in a strong position, but they will be eager to assert their dominance.Key Players in the SpotlightQuinton de Kock and Phil Salt, both opening batters, have played crucial innings for their respective teams. De Kock's 74 against Bangladesh and Salt's 87* against West Indies showcased their aggression.Jofra Archer, England's joint-leading bowler, poses a significant threat to South Africa's top order. His pace and accuracy could prove challenging for batters still finding their feet.Anrich Nortje, South Africa's second-highest wicket-taker, has been menacing throughout the tournament. His ability to counter-punch could test England's batters, who enjoy facing pace.Team News and Pitch ConditionsSouth Africa may consider changes to their bowling department, with Ottneil Baartman and Bjorn Fortuin vying for a spot. England, meanwhile, could rest Mark Wood and include Chris Jordan.The pitch at St Lucia has been conducive to high-scoring matches, with good bounce and carry. However, spinners have also found success, as evidenced by England's performance against West Indies.Head-to-Head and StatsEngland and South Africa have a balanced head-to-head record, with each team winning 12 matches. However, South Africa has the upper hand at T20 World Cups, having won four of their six encounters.Anrich Nortje is two wickets away from 50 in T20Is, while Tabraiz Shamsi is one away from 300 in all T20s. Jos Buttler needs 19 more runs to become the ninth batter to 1,000 in all T20s this year.Quotes"Hopefully," said Kagiso Rabada when asked if South Africa are peaking at the right time."A lot of people say you learn when you lose, but I truly believe you learn when you win as well," said England's Jos Buttler, emphasizing the importance of reflecting on victories.

South Africa's T20 World Cup campaign received a much-needed boost as they edged past a spirited United States of America by 18 runs in a thrilling Super Eight encounter.Quinton de Kock, in what could be his final international appearance, finally found his rhythm, smashing 74 off 43 deliveries to set the platform for South Africa's 194-4. The Proteas' innings was characterized by a slow start, but de Kock's explosive knock, which included three sixes off Jasdeep Singh, propelled them to a competitive total.However, USA fought back valiantly, with Saurabh Netravalkar and Harmeet Singh sharing three wickets between them. The duo's economical spells kept South Africa in check, but Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs' 53-run partnership ensured a challenging target for the Americans.USA's chase got off to a promising start, with Steven Taylor leading the charge. However, Kagiso Rabada's double strike in the Powerplay put the brakes on their momentum. Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi applied further pressure through the middle overs, but Andries Gous emerged as an unlikely hero for USA.Gous' unbeaten 80, coupled with his 91-run stand with Harmeet, brought USA within touching distance of victory. However, Rabada and Anrich Nortje held their nerve in the final overs, restricting USA to 176-6 and securing South Africa's first Super Eight points.Despite their victory, South Africa's bowling performance raised some concerns. While Netravalkar and Harmeet impressed, the rest of the attack struggled to contain USA's batters. The Proteas will need to address these issues if they are to progress further in the tournament.

Lucknow Super Giants Aim to Strengthen Playoff Hopes Against Struggling Mumbai IndiansLucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians (MI) will face off in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter on Tuesday, with both teams seeking to bolster their playoff aspirations.LSG, currently fifth in the standings, will be buoyed by the return of Mayank Yadav, who has recovered from injury. The team's bowling attack, led by Ravi Bishnoi and Mohsin Khan, has been impressive, and they will be confident of restricting MI's batting lineup.MI, on the other hand, have endured a disappointing campaign, languishing in ninth place. Their overseas fast bowlers have struggled to make an impact, leaving Jasprit Bumrah with an excessive workload. The team's batting has also been inconsistent, with Suryakumar Yadav yet to fully rediscover his form.Key Players to Watch:* Quinton de Kock (LSG): The South African opener has been inconsistent this season, but his explosive potential could prove decisive.* Suryakumar Yadav (MI): The Indian batter is MI's key run-scorer, and his return to form is crucial for their playoff hopes.* Jasprit Bumrah (MI): The Indian pace spearhead has been MI's most reliable performer, but he needs support from his teammates.Pitch and Conditions:The match will be played at the Lucknow stadium, where no team has scored over 200 runs in five games so far. The pitch is expected to be on the slower side, favoring the spinners.Quotes:* LSG bowling coach Morne Morkel on de Kock's form: "We need to back him in that position."* MI spinner Kumar Kartikeya on their game plan: "We want to keep things as simple as possible - restrict runs and try to take wickets."

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) continued their impressive start to IPL 2024 with a convincing eight-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Lucknow on Friday.CSK, batting first, posted a competitive 176/6 in 20 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 57 from Ravindra Jadeja and a quickfire 28* off just 9 balls from MS Dhoni. However, LSG's openers, KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock, put on a dominant display to chase down the target with ease.Rahul, who has faced criticism for his slow strike rate in recent times, silenced his detractors with a brilliant 82 off 53 balls, including nine boundaries and three sixes. De Kock also played a crucial role, scoring 54 runs to provide LSG with a solid foundation.The LSG skipper's performance was particularly impressive given that he is vying for a spot in India's squad for the upcoming World Cup. Former India star Robin Uthappa believes that Rahul's chances of making the team are "50-50," but praised his recent form."The last 3-4 games, the way he has batted, was phenomenal to watch," Uthappa said. "When he is on song, when he is playing on the merit of the ball, he's class. He makes batting look so good."Rahul acknowledged the importance of de Kock's contribution to LSG's victory. "Quinton batted well as well. Made life easy for both," he said. "Different ball game playing in Chennai. Was playing in front of mini Chennai crowd. We are a young team and happy to play in front of such a crowd."With this win, LSG moved up to fourth place in the IPL 2024 standings, while CSK remained in eighth place.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will face off against Delhi Capitals (DC) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Friday, with LSG holding a significant advantage.LSG, currently third in the points table, boasts a formidable bowling attack. Despite the potential absence of Mayank Yadav due to an abdominal niggle, they have a strong lineup including Yash Thakur, Naveen-ul-Haq, Krunal Pandya, and Ravi Bishnoi. Their opening pair of Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul has been consistent, while Nicholas Pooran has been in exceptional form. However, Devdutt Padikkal remains a concern, having yet to reach double digits.DC, on the other hand, has struggled to find a Plan B, as evidenced by their recent losses to Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians. Their Indian pace attack lacks firepower, with Khaleel Ahmed and Ishant Sharma failing to deliver consistently. Mukesh Kumar is expected to return from injury, but his performance has been underwhelming. Medium pacers Sumit Kumar and Rasikh Dar could face challenges against LSG's strong batting lineup.Pace spearhead Anrich Nortje has also been inconsistent, leaking runs at a high economy rate. DC's batting has been heavily reliant on skipper Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs, with a lack of depth in Indian talent on the bench. Prithvi Shaw has shown some improvement, but uncapped Indian players have failed to make a significant impact.