Why is de Kock Still on the Sidelines of ODI Cricket

APPLAUSE ALL AROUND: Jacques Rudolph
celebrates an elegant ton 

Although I was fairly young, I recall a youthful Jacques Rudolph on TV, making his Test debut against Bangladesh, Chittagong. In that same match, the 22-year-old left handed batsman scored an individual high score of 222* along with his long time and most trusted friend Boeta Dippenaar; who also scored an unbeaten 177 runs in the match.

A few years after his Test match debut, I once again caught a glimpse of Rudolph's elegant innings against England in the first Test of their tour series against the Proteas. Although the Proteas lost the Test match, it was again both Rudolph and Dippenaar who steered the South Africans to a match-fighting first innings score of 337 runs. Dippenaar this time top scoring with a superb 110 while Rudolph falling short of a century with his 93 runs off 192 balls. Apart from these scenarios, these men timelessly showed their determination to fight through rough spells in certain Test match situations. Without a doubt, both Rudolph and Dippenaar were extremely talented batsmen. On countless occasions these men dominated the domestic cricket scene at a very young age. They had to be South African cricketing legends in years to come.  

ALMOST GOT IT: A catch dropped by Rudolph Jacques
in the slips

However this was not the case. Both Rudolph and Dippenaar’s talents weren’t handled with tender loving care by Cricket South Africa. Rudolph, eventually been dropped after the two scenarios mentioned above, was fortunate to be granted a second chance into Test cricket in November 2011 after a sterling 2011/12 season with the Nashua Titans. Unfortunately Rudolph did not grab his long-waited second chance; failing to secure his spot in the Proteas Test line up after 13 Test matches into his career-resurrection. But he wasn’t to be blamed. He had been through torture with CSA not backing his talent and potential over the years he’s been in the system since U19 cricket level. Without a doubt, he was over the whole international cricket scene. He, Rudolph, ended up being wasted talent. 

BANG: Quinton de Kock on the pull during a
T20 International against New Zealand 

The way I see things, and with the way things are currently going thus far, this is unfortunately how CSA are currently treating 20-year-old wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock. He’s exclusion in the Proteas squad to the Champions League vividly shows how much lack of faith they have in the Highveld Lions young stalwart. It’s a fact that de Kock had no success whatsoever in his Indian Premier League journey, only top scoring with a lousy four runs, but his “just see ball hit ball” mentality might have been the one thing we need in our quest to obtain Champions Trophy silverware. After all, de Kock was the highest run scorer in the recent Ram Slam T20 Tournament, scoring 524 runs in 11 matches, which also included an opening ceremonial -century 126* in the first game of the tournament. To even suggests that the former SA U19s captain is a match winner. It was de Kock who was instrumental for the Lions claiming the Ram Slam T20 Trophy; scoring a much needed 44 runs off 31 balls in the final against the Nashua Titans.

As far as I’m concerned, when young talented AB de Villiers was noted, CSA did all they could to get him playing consistently in international level. What differentiates de Kock’s talents from de Villiers back in 2004? Whether we try to blind fold the situation or not, we all know what de Kock is capable of. The boy is ready for the international scene. CSA should use him while they still can.

Picture source: www.espncricinfo.com

-Mandilulame Manjezi
www.jizzyjakes.blogspot.com
@JizzyjakesTheIn