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South Africa's ace wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock etched his name in the annals of cricket history by equaling a record previously held by two of the game's most renowned wicketkeepers, Adam Gilchrist and Sarfaraz Ahmed. On November 10, during the World Cup match between South Africa and Afghanistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, de Kock achieved the feat of most wicketkeeping dismissals in a World Cup match.
De Kock took six catches behind the stumps put his name on par with the legendary Australian wicketkeeper Gilchrist and former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz. Gilchrist was the first to set this benchmark in the 2003 World Cup against Namibia, contributing significantly to Australia's resounding victory. Twelve years later, Sarfaraz replicated this feat in a crucial match against South Africa during the 2015 World Cup.
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De Kock's achievement has further cemented his status as one of South Africa's premier wicketkeepers, joining the ranks of Mark Boucher in the list of most dismissals in an ODI for South Africa. His record now stands alongside his own previous performance against New Zealand in 2014 and Boucher's against Pakistan in 2007.
Most wicketkeeping dismissals in an ODI for South Africa
6 – Mark Boucher vs PAK, Cape Town, 2007
6 – Quinton de Kock vs NZ, Mount Maunganui, 2014
6 – Quinton de Kock vs AFG, Ahmedabad, 2023
Most wicketkeeping dismissals in a World Cup match
6 – Adam Gilchrist (AUS) vs NAM, Potchefstroom, 2003
6 – Sarfaraz Ahmed (PAK) vs SA, Auckland, 2015
6 – Quinton de Kock (SA) vs AFG, Ahmedabad, 2023
However, de Kock is not just content with equalling this record. He is on the brink of another significant milestone in what is to be his last-ever ODI World Cup, following his announcement to retire from ODIs post-tournament. De Kock is eyeing the record for the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in a single World Cup edition. This record is currently jointly held by Gilchrist (2003) and New Zealand's Tom Latham (2019), each with 21 dismissals. With 19 dismissals in the ongoing 2023 tournament and at least one more game to play, de Kock is in a strong position to surpass this record.
Most wicketkeeping dismissals in a single World Cup edition
21 – Adam Gilchrist (Australia, 2003)
21 – Tom Latham (New Zealand, 2019)
20 – Alex Carey (Australia, 2019)
19 – Quinton de Kock (South Africa, 2023)
17 – Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka, 2003)
17 – Adam Gilchrist (Australia, 2007)
De Kock's prowess isn't limited to his wicketkeeping skills. He has also been exceptional with the bat, contributing significantly to South Africa's campaign. In nine games he has played so far, he has amassed an impressive 591 runs, including four centuries. This makes him the highest run-scorer in the tournament as New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra is trailing him 565 runs in nine games.
Talking about the match, South Africa bowled out Afghanistan for 244 riding on Gerald Coetzee's brilliant four-fer. In reply, De Kock and Temba Bavuma gave South Africa a decent start and stitched together a 64-run partnership before perishing for the scores of 41 and 23 respectively. After 20 overs South Africa are 99/2 with Rassie Van der Dussen and Aiden Markrama still intact on the crease.
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