World Cup 2023: Teams underestimate Glenn Maxwell, Quinton de Kock wary of off-spinner in SA vs AUS
Australia and South Africa are set to face each other in Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium on Thursday, 12 October.
The teams have recently played against each other, with South Africa pulling off a sensational 3-2 victory despite going down 0-2 in the first two matches.
SA and AUS come into the game on the back of contrasting results. While South Africa posted a record-breaking total against Sri Lanka in New Delhi, Australia were bundled out for just 199 runs against India in Chennai. Speaking about the game in the pre-match press conference, South Africa batter Quinton de Kock said that it might have been a one off and Australia were quite a strong side in world cricket.
De Kock was asked about the Australian bowling unit – who have decided to come into the tournament with just one specialist spinner – Adam Zampa. The wicketkeeper-batter said that Australia are a balanced bowling attack and guys like Glenn Maxwell are quite underrated as bowlers.
“I think they’re a really good bowling attack. I think they’re well-balanced. You know, obviously, you’ve got Starc here as a left arm, he swings it a lot up front, bowls really good yorkers towards the end. Got a guy like Hazelwood and Pat Cummins who don’t really give you bad balls, got seriously good bouncers. And then you’ve got obviously Cam Green now coming in who adds more balance to their seam bowling attack. And he also bowls at 140 plus,” de Kock said in the pre-match press conference.
“Then Maxi, I think a lot of guys underrate him. I think he’s a really good offie, especially in the white-ball format. He keeps it very tight. I think teams underestimate him. I think that’s why he does really well because I think he knows he’s a good spinner. I think other guys don’t give him the respect he deserves. But that’s what I’ve seen and watched over the years,” he further added.
South Africa and Australia have played a few heated matches over the years, with Sandpaper Gate being one of the ugliest incidents in world cricket. Both teams have mellowed down since. Asked about the rivalry between the sides, de Kock said that both teams had really big egos and wanted to win matches.
“I’m not too sure. I think it’s just a big rivalry. I think it’s just international cricket, it’s just the way it is. Both teams are strong teams, both got big egos, both want to win, want to beat each other. So, I think that’s what it just comes down to. Whoever comes out, like I said earlier, whoever comes out and makes the best decisions in the most, in the biggest pressure situation will probably be the winner at the end of the day,” de Kock said.