Tristan Stubbs praises Quinton de Kock's impact as Sunrisers prepare for New Year's Eve clash

Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain Tristan Stubbs has heaped praise on Quinton de Kock ahead of the New Year’s Eve clash against Paarl Royals at St George’s Park.

The veteran wicket-keeper/batter joined the two-time champions for Season 4 and has made a major impact in the Sunrisers’ rise to the top of the table with two consecutive bonus-point victories. De Kock is the leading run-scorer in the competition with 119 runs at an average of 59.50 after striking 77 and 42 against Pretoria Capitals and the Royals respectively.

But Stubbs, who is only two games into his new captaincy career at the Sunrisers, appreciates the input De Kock is having in the dressing room and also on the field.

“He's been so good,” Stubbs said. “I think we have a direct line of communication between every over just to make sure we're thinking the same. He's been really invested in team talks, before the games, prepping well.”

Stubbs’ captaincy tenure could not have begun on a better note, with the Sunrisers winning the first two games of the season for the first time since the inception of the competition. It has certainly helped the skipper that he is able to call on a pace battery that consists of Marco Jansen, Adam Milne, and Anrich Nortje.

Equally, there is the variety of Sri Lanka international spinner Tharindu Ratnayake, who has the unique ability to bowl with both hands, along with Proteas left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy.

“We've had a pretty good start. The boys are playing very well,” Stubbs said.

“Our bowling attack is very balanced with the three quicks. And then to have Ratnayake to bowl to right and left-handers is a real gift. The other day I wanted a mid-wicket for his first ball, and he's like, ‘No, no, I need to bowl the ball first with my right hand’. That's a great skill to have.”

Stubbs also raved about the energy the St George’s Park crowd generated against the Capitals, and is eagerly looking forward to a first-ever New Year’s Eve clash where he expects “The Orange Army” to come out in their thousands again.

“I've never played on New Year's Eve, but I think the atmosphere is going to hopefully match today, if not better,” he said. “I've always said the best atmosphere here is a Sunday afternoon 15:30 start. We have a 13:30 start, but it's going to have that feel and it's going to be awesome.”