Under-fire Quinton de Kock shouldn’t think too much

The Proteas’ early series win over India as well as his excellent glovework might’ve shone the spotlight away from him to an extent but Quinton de Kock is a man under pressure.

Following a distinctly lukewarm Ram Slam T20 – just 118 runs in eight innings – the gifted left-hander has found runs hard to score in the Test format.

In fact, he averages a lowly 22 in his last nine Tests.

But last week’s match in Centurion was the cherry on top.

De Kock simply looked hapless with the bat, especially in the second innings.

He edged three consecutive boundaries off Mohammed Shami before hanging out his bat to be out off the fourth ball.

It was the shot of a man who just didn’t know what to do with himself.

Ironically, Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis believes De Kock should actually think less about his game.

“The key for a guy like him is not to over-analyse,” he said on Tuesday, ahead of Wednesday’s third Test at the Wanderers.

“You don’t want to over-complicate things. It’s normal, it happens when a guy goes two to five Tests without scoring runs. You tend to think more about things.”

De Kock’s instinctive approach to the game is his strength, meaning he negates that if he becomes too robotic while batting.

“He’s a free spirit, that’s his biggest asset,” said Du Plessis.

“When he’s switched on, Quinny puts all the pressure back on the opposition’s bowling attack. Of course he’d like to score runs – most of us are due – but the language we’re using with him is for him to keep showing his positive intent. If he gets the opportunity, he needs to cash in.”

One man who probably can assist him is Neil McKenzie, the Proteas’ former batting coach and now Cricket South Africa specialist.

McKenzie was present at the Proteas’ net session on Tuesday, where he gained some insight into the ideas of his successor, Dale Benkenstein.

“As far as I know he attended to make sure everyone’s on the same page. He has been tasked with guiding the upcoming batsmen in the system,” said Du Plessis.

“Neil and Quinny have a very good working relationship but he didn’t come just for Quinny.”

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