Centurion calm: Quinton de Kock reveals how 2023 heroics fuelled Proteas' record chase

Centurion Quinton de Kock says the Proteas were confident they could chase down the big total that the West Indies had posted in the second T20I at SuperSport Park on Thursday evening.

When the West Indies posted a mammoth 221/4 during the second T20I on Thursday, there was a sense of calm in the Proteas dressing room.

Even when the players left the field after producing one of their worst performances with the ball, they looked relaxed, as if they knew something most fans watching at the ground or at home didn’t.

De Kock revealed that they certainly had a trick up their sleeve, a memory from the past against the same team and at the same venue. About three years ago, the Proteas had successfully chased down 259 that was posted by the same opposition.

It was that run chase that fuelled the Proteas' confidence on Thursday, as they went on to win the match by seven wickets with 15 balls to spare.

“I think we've done it quite a couple of times on this ground, so I think that's the confidence that you have, knowing that most totals on a good wicket do get chased down,” De Kock told reporters post-match.

“It's just a matter of applying yourself and just going through the process. I think just over the years of doing it here, I specifically just had the confidence of just going about our business.”

With the victory, the Proteas secured an unassailable 2-0 series lead, with one match remaining. The third and final match is set to be played during the Pink Day at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday.