DE KOCK ROYALLY ENTERTAINS IN THE CPL

Durban’s Super Giants superstar Quinton de Kock unleashed a quickfire 87 of just 45 balls to power the Barbados Royals to an imposing nine-wicket victory over the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.

Fresh from a break after playing Major League Cricket, De Kock was eager to hit the ground running in his first Caribbean Premier League (CPL) match of the season.

The Barbados Royals bowlers had earlier delivered a good shift in restricting the Falcons to 145/9, with Joburg Super Kings mystery spinner showing his class with the economical figures of 2/21. De Kock’s DSG teammate Naveen-ul-Haq also claimed 1/47.

The Falcons’ total seemed underpar from the moment De Kock and Raheem Cornwall got going for the Royals. The opening pair attacked the Powerplay as they virtually halved the target by smashing 76 runs without loss in the first six overs.  

Although Cornwall fell shortly afterwards for 36 off 20 balls (5x4; 2x6), De Kock continued on his merry way.  The southpaw provided royal entertainment with a string of breathtaking  shots, which included a splendid four and an audacious six over his head off successive Mohammad Amir deliveries to close out the contest in some style.

“Good to start the CPL campaign the way we did. Bowlers justified the decision at the toss. QDK and Cornwall are great. Guys looked sharp and ready in the first game, which doesn't always happen. It's great. Once we have Quinny in our team, it gets better. Want youngsters to pick his brain,” said Barbados Royals captain Rovman Powell. De Kock was equally happy to get his CPL season going on a positive note.

“We didn't have a big total, knew it was a good wicket, so wanted to give Jimbo the strike and capitalise myself in one of the overs. Wanted to get the odd boundary, rotate strike and bat normally. (Rahkeem) It's only our first game, bats with a lot of flair and takes the game forward. He can do all the hard work after getting him on strike. Hope that continues,” he said.  

In the other CPL match of the weekend, it was De Kock’s former DSG teammate Nicholas Pooran that set up the Trinbago Knight Riders’ 44-run victory over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. Pooran smashed an electrifying 97 off 43 balls (7x4; 9x6) to set up TKR’s imposing 250/4. Pretoria Capitals speedster Anrich Nortje (2/37) and Joburg Super Kings spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (1/27) tried their best to contain the rampant Pooran.

It was Nortje that eventually dismissed Pooran just three runs short of his century. The Patriots put up a strong fight in response, but lost their way after Sunrisers Eastern Cape star Tristan Stubbs fell for a rapid 39 off just 19 balls (3x4; 3x6) as they finished on 206/8.