Quinton de Kock secured his third Test century as South Africa secured a strong position in the second Test in Cape Town. They were dismissed in a slightly extended morning session for 392 with de Kock falling for 101, one of six wickets for the unflinching young Sri Lankan fast bowler Lahiru Kumara.
Not everything was going swimmingly for South Africa, however, as they reflected upon news on ESPNcricinfo that Kyle Abbott has been agonising for months over whether to abandon his international career and take up a professional deal in England with Hampshire as a Kolpak player. Cricket South Africa were preparing a response.
De Kock does not spend too much time on reconnaissance: life is for living, and the sooner the better. Resuming with 68 to his name, he eased Suranga Lakmal’s introductory ball of the day to the extra-cover boundary. Confident on the drive from the outset, he had his hundred around 40 minutes later, an entertaining affair which benefited from a final slice of good fortune as an inside-edge against Kumara skimmed past leg stump.
He fell later in the over, jabbing a catch to the wicketkeeper as Kumara seamed a fullish ball away from around the wicket. Dinesh Chandimal took the catch, back behind the stumps after handing his duties to Kusal Mendis on the first day because of illness. Mendis had kept well, so encouraging a rapid recovery.
-ESPN
