After the narrow defeat to South Africa, England captain Jos Buttler admitted that his batsmen could not match the batting prowess of Proteas keeper-batsman Quinton de Kock. England lost to South Africa by seven runs in the T20 World Cup Super Eight match at Gros Islet, St. Lucia, on Friday. De Kock smashed a 38-ball, 65-run knock studded with four sixes and as many fours to take South Africa to 163 for six in 20 overs. In response, England were restricted to 156/6 despite Harry Brooks’ 37-ball 53.
However, a major controversy erupted when de Kock was controversially dismissed by the third umpire.
The incident happened off the second ball of the ninth over, after Mark Wood took what appeared to be a regulation catch, at backward square leg.
De Kock pulled Adil Rashid’s delivery but could only find Wood, who appeared to have taken a clean catch. De Kock, however, remained unconvinced as he asked the on-field referee to accept help from the third official.
The third referee went through several replays before concluding that the ball had touched the ground, declaring that De Kock was not out.
Watch the controversial moment here:
De Kock didn’t give up! What is his opinion? pic.twitter.com/cCzxsD50HY
– GoalsAndWickets (@GoalsnWickets) June 21, 2024
Speaking about the defeat, Buttler said De Kock’s innings was the “difference” between the two teams.
Quinton de Kock thought it was a clean catch, but the third umpire didn’t give up #ENGvsSA pic.twitter.com/TAZOuKHq0g
-Lavesh Jain (@lavesh_jain10) June 21, 2024
Was Quinton De Kock out or not? pic.twitter.com/pBWxQazeSh
– Extra Cover (@_extracover_) June 21, 2024
Quinton de Kock Out or Not Out…..!!#T20WorldCup #SAvsENG pic.twitter.com/EzeKyXygXn
– Cric Choice (@CricChoice) June 21, 2024
“I think the way Quinny played at the top really put us under a lot of pressure and (he) made some great shots and we weren’t able to match that,” Buttler said during the post-match press conference.
“I think that was the difference in the game.”
“The toughest overs in today’s power play came from low, which De Kock really stepped up to the plate, took some risks and played well, so as I mentioned, I felt the power play was the difference in the game,” he said.
“I think the way Quinny could bat at a rate that none of us could bat – but like I said, yes, we fought brilliantly well with the ball and restricted a really strong line-up to what was almost equal. score probably.”
(With ANI inputs)
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This story originally appeared on ndtv.com read the full story
