Just prior to England’s white-ball tour of South Africa, their wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler has heaped praise on his Protea counterpart Quinton de Kock. The English vice-captain has said that he is a ‘huge fan’ of de Kock’s batting and keeping skills.
“He is one of my favourite players in the world at the moment, and is brilliant with the bat and as a wicketkeeper,” Buttler told reporters on Monday (November 16) before the England squad left for Cape Town. On this tour England will play three T20Is and three ODIs against the hosts with the first T20I is scheduled to take place at Newlands, Cape Town on November 27.
Meanwhile, further praising Kock’s versatile skills Buttler termed him as a ‘fantastic player with an excellent cricket brain’.
“I’m a huge fan of his. He is a fantastic player with an excellent cricket brain. I really enjoy how he views the game and looks to take it on.
Of late, both Buttler and de Kock seemed to be in good form for their respective franchises in the recently-concluded IPL 2020. De Kock’s Mumbai Indians successfully defended their title and went on to win the championship for a record-breaking fifth time. On the other hand, though Buttler’s Rajasthan Royals failed to make it to the play-offs but he was one of their main performers.
Nevertheless, talking about the importance of this tour Buttler believes the T20is in particular, is important for England in their preparations for the two back to T20 World Cups scheduled in 2021 and 2022.
“To win the series is the ultimate aim, but also building towards the World Cups. In 50-over cricket we did that, winning and learning at the same time ahead of the [2019] tournament. Winning gives you confidence and clarity about your side. The 50-over team [that won the World Cup] nearly picked itself towards the end of that cycle. That gives you a lot of confidence, you are familiar with your own role and what to expect from your team mates,” the Englishman explained.
Interestingly, in 2020, this will be the second occasion South Africa is hosting England for T20Is and ODIs. In the earlier tour back in February both teams played against each other in three ODIs and three T20Is (along with a four-Test series which was played in December-January). The 50-over competition was tied with 1-1 result whereas England went on to win the shorter version with 2-1 margin.
England men’s Tour of South Africa 2020 complete itinerary:
Monday 16 November: Touring party departs from London to Cape Town
Saturday 21 November: 50-over intra-squad practice match. Newlands, Cape Town.
Monday 23 November: Two T20 intra-squad practice matches. Boland Park, Paarl.
Friday 27 November: 1st IT20 South Africa v England, Newlands, Cape Town (6.00pm SAST)
Sunday 29 November: 2nd IT20 South Africa v England, Boland Park, Paarl (2.30pm SAST)
Tuesday 1 December: 3rd IT20 South Africa v England, Newlands, Cape Town (6.00pm SAST)
Friday 4 December: 1st ODI South Africa v England, Newlands, Cape Town (1.00pm SAST)
Sunday 6 December: 2nd ODI South Africa v England, Boland Park, Cape Town (10.00am SAST)
Wednesday 9 December: 3rd ODI South Africa v England, Newlands, Cape Town (1.00pm SAST)
Thursday 10 December: Touring party departs from Cape Town to London