Twitter Reactions: Skipper Quinton de Kock's ton steers South Africa to a dominant victory against England

World champions England were humbled in the first of the three-match ODI series against South Africa. Just like in the Test series, they were outdone comprehensively. A Quinton de Kock special with the bat and a wonderful partnership that he was involved in with Temba Bavuma did the trick for the Proteas. At the same time, the bowlers will also have to be commended for assessing the pitch really well and troubling the opposition.

In his first game as South Africa’s full-time captain, De Kock chose to bowl first. On what was a sluggish pitch, this turned out to be a very good decision. Even though the England top-four got off to starts, they couldn’t convert them into big ones. Tabraiz Shamsi ran through the middle order with three wickets. At 131/6 at one stage, it didn’t seem as if England was heading towards at least a respectable total.

However, Joe Denly came to the rescue. Had it not been his 103-ball 87, England would have no way got to 258/8 in 50 overs. He found some good support from the tail with Chris Woakes and Tom Curran scoring 40 and 15 runs respectively. Except for Lungi Ngidi, all the other bowlers picked up at least one wicket for South Africa.

First win for Quinton de Kock as South Africa’s ODI skipper

Quinton de Kock took charge of the South Africa ODI team a couple of times in the past. However, on both those occasions, his team failed to get across the line. But on this occasion, he took things in his own hands. He ensured that the Proteas registered their first win under him. Even though they lost Reeza Hendricks early for only 6 runs, Quinton de Kock build up a wonderful partnership with Temba Bavuma.

They added 173 runs together before the wicket-keeper batsman was dismissed by Joe Root for 107. Temba Bavuma was unfortunate to have missed out on his ton as he fell two runs short when Chris Jordan dismissed him. With an unbeaten 38, Rassie van der Dussen took his team through with 2.2 overs and 7 wickets left. Quinton de Kock became only the second wicket-keeper batsman after Adam Gilchrist who scored a ton while opening and captaining the team.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to this victory:

Quinton de Kock impresses more and more as captain. His brilliant ton and Bavuma’s excellent knock powered SA home tonight. Also great to see spinners bowling 20 overs and picking up four wickets for 81 runs. That run out from Rassie! Well done, SA! #SAvENG

— Kass Naidoo (@KassNaidoo) February 4, 2020

The Proteas get off to a winning start 🇿🇦✅

Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma's sensational 173-run partnership helped South Africa secure a massive seven-wicket victory over England in the first ODI.#SAvENG pic.twitter.com/2aRwpMYnRj

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) February 4, 2020

They were waiting for you to fail Themba Bavuma. Good knock to get to half century at good strike rate #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/Bbzl8Z50VZ

— Bantu 🇿🇦 (@Ophangelayo) February 4, 2020

And our best batsman didn’t even play 😂😂😂😂😂 #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/gzuoN07Gey

— Harry The Hadeda (@hadedaharry) February 4, 2020

Give this man a Bottle of Whiskey.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 50 UP 4 @tbavuma10 #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/f04JwTFAcK

— ThandoManana (@TandoManana) February 4, 2020

Temba Bavuma on taking the good with the bad with regards to transformation. #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/uEBwylBL0p

— Cricket Fanatics Magazine (@cricfanaticsmag) February 4, 2020

"It was different pressure, I felt like a kid out there with no burden" – Temba Bavuma facing the media #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/zlbXxxH2ty

— Cricket Fanatics Magazine (@cricfanaticsmag) February 4, 2020

"It has been hard, but not because of the drop, players go through slumps. I'm not the last guy to get dropped. The talks of transformation and all of that.
I play cricket because I love it. I want to be recognized for performances not just skin color" – Temba Bavuma #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/XJdCtE1K9a

— Cricket Fanatics Magazine (@cricfanaticsmag) February 4, 2020

Bavuma doing an Amla – formerly seen as a TEST specialist then he shows them that he's also good at ODI's?" Well … watch this space. #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/7TLoC5LF4H

— Rudulu (@Vumza_) February 4, 2020

Quinton de Kock guides South Africa to victory #SAvENG https://t.co/Fu46SRU24G

— The Cricket Times (@CricketTimesHQ) February 5, 2020

South Africa win by 7️⃣ wickets!

A perfect start to a new era for the Proteas' ODI side. #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/UucshEE694

— #INDvNZ (@FaST_CricBuzz) February 5, 2020

First time saw sa dominated England in this series #SAvENG

— AnuP MaHapatrA (@am_i_anup) February 5, 2020

Dekock 100 & Bavuma 98 gives sa a solid victory well played both… #SAvENG

— AnuP MaHapatrA (@am_i_anup) February 5, 2020

Quin-ton de Kock joins an illustrious list!

Fewest innings to 5⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣ ODIs runs:

101 Hashim Amla
114 Viv Richards/ Virat Kohli
115 David Warner
116 Joe Root/ Quinton de Kock

Good Sign For @mipaltan Fans
Before #IPL2020#SAvENG pic.twitter.com/MMuli3mhKK

— AARPEE1813#VIRATVAANI (@imAaRPee1813) February 5, 2020

Themba Bavuma taught us the original cricket game 98run of 103 balls. He was running for 2nd century in an his 3rd ODI match.

Lets be proud. S/0 to De kock for his 1st Captaincy match & his young squad. You are the next Greame Smith@ICC @OfficialProteas #SAvENG

— ntobeko (@tonicdeejaycpt) February 5, 2020