Victory boils down to who makes best decisions in big pressure situations - De Kock

Quinton de Kock told reporters at the pre-match press conference before the World Cup group phase against Australia that he expects a tough game, but admitted that the Proteas batting was in good shape. De Kock was asked to comment on the suggestion that South Africa’s top six are being widely rated as the most in-form top six of the tournament. 

“We’ve worked really hard on our game the last couple of years. It's only one game into the World Cup, so it's hard to say how we're really going. I think in order for us to be one of the best we still need to be a bit more consistent. Especially in tight games like World Cups. That will determine actually how good we are,” said De Kock.

The issue of Marco Jansen batting at seven has been posed by many critics and fans as a possible area of weakness for the Proteas, but De Kock was quick to offer his complete confidence in the tall young all-rounder.

“I think he's doing really well for a guy his age. He's very talented and is a big hitter of the ball. He's also got a lot of experience in front of him in the batting department to help guide him. He plays spin really well and he's looking to improve every time he goes out to bat, so I think people should just give him a chance. He's still young so he's not like the rest of us who are all probably above the age of 30. So let him just grow in his ways and in his position. I'm sure he'll be a great all-rounder for us one day,” added De Kock.

De Kock confirmed to reporters that he was delighted to have finally scored a World Cup century in the Proteas’ opening World Cup match against Sri Lanka. He was one of a record three batters to score a century in a World Cup innings, along with Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram. 

“I think it was big. I think I've been wanting a 100 for a while. I've got to be getting off to a lot of starts and then obviously not capitalising and just to get one into my name was pretty nice. The rest of the guys have been scoring a lot of big runs anyway. I think just to tick it off in a World Cup and get the campaign started was a big thing for the guys’ confidence,” said De Kock

The wicketkeeper/batter stressed that playing against Australia was really no different to playing against any other team when it comes to a World Cup.

“You can't take any games for granted. I don't think it's any different from playing Australia to any other team because it's a World Cup. You can't take any games for granted. I think both teams are going to come out fighting tomorrow, and whoever makes the right choices under pressure will be the stronger team at the end of the day,” said De Kock, adding that he believes the Australian side is “well balanced”, in particular with dangerman Mitchell Starc offering a lot of pace and left-arm swing.

With Australia having struggled against India’s three spinners on Sunday, there is a suggestion that the Proteas should add Shamsi to the team in a bid to target Australia’s struggles against spin through the middle overs. De Kock acknowledged that adding Shamsi would definitely be in the selectors’ thoughts, but he added a note of caution.

“I've also seen those same guys who struggled in the Australian team also destroy spinners in the IPL. I think that was a spin-friendly wicket in Chennai. I think most other teams could have struggled because the Indians have a really good spin-bowling attack. I've played against a lot of these guys, guys like Warner, Smith, Marnus, Maxi, these guys really play spin really well in general,” cautioned De Kock.

I think it was just that one game, that's the way I see it. Especially here in Lucknow, I don't know what wicket we're going to get. Whoever comes out and makes the best decisions in the biggest pressure situation will probably be the winner at the end of the day,” concluded De Kock.