Quinton de Kock will play 100 more Test matches from here: Mark Boucher

Quinton de Kock, South Africa’s all-format captain, is currently playing his 50th Test match. The wicketkeeper-batsman led his side onto the field of the National Stadium in Karachi on Tuesday, where the Proteas are playing Pakistan in the first Test. On the onset of the Test, head coach Mark Boucher congratulated de Kock by suggesting he might play another 100 Tests. 

Boucher, who is South Africa’s most famous wicketkeeper, has been serving as the head coach since December 2019. He himself is the second most-capped South African player in Test matches. He has played 147 matches, only behind Jacques Kallis’ 166.

Boucher during an interaction said that this is just the start of de Kock’s career. He praised the captain for his style of playing. “It’s a special occasion for any player. It’s just the start of his career. There’s possibly another 100 Test matches there for him. Quinny is a special cricketer. He is the type of player opposition hope doesn’t get into good form because he can take the game away from anyone very quickly,” said Boucher,” said Boucher as quoted by ESPNcrincinfo.

But I’m very happy Quinton de Kock has taken on captaincy role: Boucher

Quinton de Kock was surprisingly named the Test captain ahead of the Sri Lanka tour. Graeme Smith, the director of cricket for South Africa, had previously said that de Kock won’t be given the captaincy in Tests. Talking about this, Boucher said that he is happy that the wicketkeeper took up the task. 

“Being a captain is an extra [responsibility] we have added on to him. We’re trying to help him out as much as we can in that department. But I’m very happy he has taken on that role,” he added.

Boucher then talked about the team is looking to get the best out of de Kock as a player and as a captain. “I know it’s tough at times, especially if your performances aren’t exactly where you want them to be. Hopefully, we can get the best of Quinny in this series. It can only be good for him as a person, a captain, and also for the team,” said Boucher.