De Kock's blitz in Proteas win
Good bowling and fielding propels South Africa to top of the table
South Africa pulled out a sevenrun win over England in their T20 World Cup Super Eights' Group 2 match here on Friday.
After setting a target of 163, South Africa restricted England to 156-6. Earlier, South Africa squandered a blistering start by
Quinton de Kock (65) as England managed to keep the Proteas to 163 for six.
With De Kock (68 off 35, 4x4, 4x6) going hammer and tongs to take the scoring rate to nearly 10 an over for most of their first half, England fought back hard with regular wickets courtesy excellent fielding which remained the highlight of their effort.
Apart from De Kock's fireworks, David Miller's late resistance, 43 off 28 balls (4x4, 2x6), saved the blushes for SA.
De Kock led South Africa's rapid beginning with a brutal assault on the English bowlers, particularly on Jofra Archer (3/40) even though Reece Topley kept it tight from the other end in the powerplay.
Having banished a slow start with a six and a four off Mooen Ali to end the second over, De Kock tore into Archer to collect 21 runs with two sixes and as many fours in the fourth over.
Using Archer's pace, De Kock flicked him off the pads to clear the fine leg and lashed out two powerful hits to midwicket for a six and a four. In between, there was a perfectly executed uppercut for a four which left the English side bewildered.
There was a hint of fortune too for SA. De Kock's sweep off Adil Rashid towards fine leg was taken by Mark Wood, but one part of the ball was touching the ground, as confirmed by the TV replays.