A sublime third century in five innings by Quinton de Kock at the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup helped the Proteas claim another emphatic win as they comfortably overcame Bangladesh by 149 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday.
The South Africa wicketkeeper has been in golden touch throughout the tournament thus far and moved to the top of the run charts with his dashing 174 off 140 balls in which he clubbed seven sixes and 15 fours.
It was the 30-year-old’s 20th One-Day International (ODI) century and followed hot on the heels of scores of 100 (v Sri Lanka) and 109 (v Australia) in the first two games.
His effort helped his team amass 382 for five after they won the toss and batted first with strong contributions also coming through Heinrich Klaasen (90 off 49 balls, 2 fours, 8 sixes) and Aiden Markram (60 off 69 balls, 7 fours), who again stood in as captain after Temba Bavuma was ruled out due to illness.
In reply the Proteas reduced the Tigers to 81 for six, before a Mahmudullah century (111 runs off 111 balls, 11 fours, 4 sixes) brought a degree of respectability to the scoreline. They were eventually dismissed for 233 in 46.4 overs with Gerald Coetzee the best of the bowlers picking up three for 62.
The result was an excellent one for Rob Walter’s side, lifting them to second on the table behind unbeaten hosts India. Their next match is against Pakistan in Chennai on Friday.
The coach will no doubt be proud of his side after yet another convincing win in which they put big runs on the board to leave their opponents chasing the game.
After losing Reeza Hendricks (12) and Rassie van der Dussen (1) cheaply, De Kock, who will retire from ODIs at the end of the tournament, and Markram put on 131 together for the second wicket to lay the early foundations.
Then came one of the most memorable partnerships of the tournament as Klaasen joined De Kock for a stand of 142 that came in just under 15 overs.
The finishing touches were then added by David Miller (34* off 15 balls) ensuring the South Africans set a massive 382.
Bangladesh reached 30 for none in the sixth over when Marco Jansen (2/39) landed a double blow to jolt their progress.
Lizaad Williams (2/56) marked his World Cup debut with the wicket of opposition captain Shakib Al Hasan (1), while a wicket each from Kagiso Rabada (2/42), Keshav Maharaj (1/32) and Coetzee sank Bangladesh to 81 for six.
Thanks to centurion Mahmudullah, they recovered from there to reach 227 for eight at one stage, but that was a mere formality with the South Africans sewing up another big win.
