The Great Gamble
There was a time, not too long ago, when the mere mention of money was anathema in sports ~ professionals were allowed in Wimbledon for the first time in 1968, and in the Olympics only from 1988.
Shrugging off suggestions that the extra responsibility would weigh on his mind, newly appointed South Africa white-ball captain Quinton de Kock said he is prepared for the responsibility.
“I’m not too concerned,” de Kock was quoted by ICC while speaking to reporters, ahead of the match on Wednesday.
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“It’s just a new stepping stone in my career,” he said, adding, “[It] just gives me a bit of extra responsibility in the team. We’ll see how it goes. It can affect me negatively or positively – I’m not sure at the moment. Hopefully, it gives me the positive energy and I give the best I can do.”
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It is to note that the wicket-keeper batsman, who has played 191 matches for South Africa, won’t have veterans like AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis or Hashim Amla on in his side. However, he doesn’t expect their absence or his new responsibilities to change his style of play, or that of the younger lot.
“I think they (de Villiers, Amla and du Plessis) gave me lots of room to play the way I want. I don’t see it why that would change without them here,” he said, adding, “Even they in their careers went through the same things that we’re going through right now. So, we will take it as it comes.
“In the leadership group within the team we have discussions, we’ve had a chat about how we’re going to go about things. So far it is under control, but we are also still learning. We are still quite a young leadership team. Hopefully, when our careers finish … the youngsters coming through would learn from our mistakes.”
The first game at Dharamsala got washed out. Now, de Kock will lead his side in the second game in Mohali on Wednesday.
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