South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock became the fastest to register 150 dismissals in the longest format of the game. The feat was achieved by the stylish left-hander during the second and deciding Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
The match is currently underway at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SCC) in Colombo. It was on the third day of the second Test that de Kock achieved the feat.
The prominent wicket-keeper caught Dimuth Karunratne to achieve the record. However, speedster Lungi Ngidi was the bowler in the morning session as Karunratne was dismissed for 85.
De Kock is currently playing his 35th Test for the Proteas national team. He went past the previous record which was held by former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist.
The latter achieved the feat in 36 Test matches. De Kock came into the Test with 148 dismissals under his belt. Even in the first innings, de Kock caught Karunratne for 53.
Meanwhile, Keshav Maharaj went onto become the first South African bowler to bag nine wickets after readmission in 1991.
Also Read: Sri Lanka Vs South Africa, 2018: 2nd Test, Colombo – Day Three, Review
Quinton De Kock has been a permanent member of the Proteas:
Ever since making his Test debut for South Africa against Australia at Port Elizabeth, De Kock has featured quite regularly for South Africa. He is the preferred choice across formats of the game for the Proteas.
Meanwhile, it must be noted de Kock’s record might be the only bright spot for South Africa in the series so far.
Despite Maharaj bagging nine wickets in a record spell, South Africa is staring down the barrel for the second time in succession. They suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Lanka in the opening Test at Galle.
Proteas also registered their lowest Test score since their readmission to cricket. The visiting batsmen have not been able to pick the variations of the spinners and have continuously fallen into their trap.
They are in a hopeless situation even in this Test also. Despite a great spell by Maharaj, South Africa might go onto lose the Test and also the series by a 2-0 margin.
Following the completion of the Test series, Sri Lanka will host the Proteas for five One-day Internationals and a solitary Twenty20 International.
Also Read: Eden Park Likely Miss Out on Hosting India in the Limited-Overs Leg