Quinny is making a big difference, says Markram

The omission of a specialist batsman by the Proteas has seen Quinton de Kock promoted to number six for the Test series against Sri Lanka and opener Aiden Markram on Thursday paid tribute to the difference the wicketkeeper/batsman has been making with the bat in recent times.

With South Africa’s batting being rather hit-and-miss, partly thanks to imbalanced pitches that have heavily favoured the bowlers, they have been extremely grateful for De Kock’s rich vein of form that has seen him score 472 runs in seven innings this summer, at an average of 67.42.

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The 26-year-old was at it again on Thursday at St George’s Park as his superb 86 off 87 balls lifted the Proteas from 73 for four to 222 all out.

He shared a 57-run fifth-wicket partnership with Markram, who scored a determined 60.

“Quinny proved today that the pitch was not that bad by the way he played and it’s so important to have him scoring runs. It’s also how he scores his runs that is so crucial – he really moves the game forward and shifts the momentum, which really helps our side. Coming in at six, he’s found himself coming in pretty early recently, but he takes the game to the opposition and is regularly coming off,” Markram said after the close of play on the first day of the second Test in Port Elizabeth.

De Kock certainly made batting look easy on a pitch that sported a healthy covering of grass and weather conditions that ensured there was a bit of assistance all day for the bowlers. Thirteen wickets fell on the first day as Sri Lanka closed on 60 for three.

Markram batted for 166 minutes in scoring his sixth Test half-century and he said that it had been a hard grind for him.

“Sri Lanka bowled well, especially up front, there was a bit of lateral movement and swing and it definitely wasn’t easy. The pitches have been pretty challenging lately, but that’s definitely not an excuse. We need to find ways to score runs, but after three or four bad scores it does dent your confidence and you look down the pitch and wonder how you’re going to score runs.

“But you need to find a way to score, I always look to be positive, but conditions do dictate and today I felt I had to grind it out hard and bat for a long period. I was bitterly disappointed to then get out after all that work,” Markram said, having been trapped lbw by Kasun Rajitha as his front leg went a bit too far across his stumps and he missed a delivery that nipped back.

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