Quinton de Kock used a borrowed bat to hammer a series-clinching century for South Africa in the second T20I against the West Indies in Centurion on Thursday.
The West Indies posted an imposing 221-4 in their 20 overs but De Kock was in imperious form as South Africa won by seven wickets with 15 balls to spare.
The 33-year-old hit six fours and 10 sixes in making a career-best 115 off 49 deliveries.
It was the Proteas’ second-highest successful run chase, behind only the 259-4 against the same opponents at the same ground in 2023.
De Kock made his only other T20I century in that match, hitting exactly 100 off 44 balls.
“I made a mistake and left some of my bats at home,” said De Kock, who borrowed a bat from rising star Dewald Brevis.
“It’s nice to bat in Protea colours again at Centurion,” said De Kock, who took a break from international cricket after the 2024 T20 World Cup before returning last season.
“We’ve been in this position before on this ground – it’s a high-scoring ground.”
HIGHLIGHTS: Proteas vs West Indies (2nd T20I)
De Kock shared a second-wicket stand of 162 with fellow left-hander Ryan Rickelton, who made 77* off 36 balls.
The West Indian total was built on a second-wicket partnership of 126 off 62 balls between Brandon King (49) and Shimron Hetmyer (75).
The Proteas pulled back the scoring rate in the middle overs, with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj taking 2-22 in four overs.
But Sherfane Rutherford gave the innings late impetus by hitting 57* off 24 balls.
The heaviest punishment was suffered by Anrich Nortje, South Africa’s fastest bowler, who conceded 59 runs off three overs without taking a wicket. Largely due to Rutherford the West Indies scored 68 runs off the last four overs.
“The batting was pretty decent,” said West Indian captain Shai Hope. “But there are very tough bowling conditions at Centurion.”
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images