De Kock and Buttler Set for Career Milestones in England–South Africa T20 World Cup Clash
The group-stage clash between England and South Africa at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup promises high intensity and historic significance, as two of the game’s premier wicketkeeper-batsmen stand on the brink of major career milestones. The much-anticipated encounter will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday.
Ahead of the contest, South Africa’s Quinton de Kock and England captain Jos Buttler are both poised to etch their names deeper into the record books of T20 International cricket.
Quinton de Kock on the Verge of a South African First
De Kock, who reversed his white-ball retirement last year, is just two runs away from becoming the first South African cricketer to score 3,000 runs in T20 Internationals. The left-handed opener has so far accumulated 2,998 runs in 104 matches and 103 innings, maintaining an average of 31.89 and an impressive strike rate of 142.42.
His T20I career includes two centuries and 19 half-centuries, underlining his consistency at the top of the order. In the ongoing tournament, de Kock has scored 84 runs across two innings, striking at 118.57, and will be keen to deliver on the big stage against England.
South Africa, runners-up in the 2024 edition, enter the fixture looking to assert dominance against the 2022 champions in what is expected to be one of the marquee matches of the group stage.
Jos Buttler Closing in on the 4,000-Run Landmark
England skipper Jos Buttler is also on the cusp of a significant personal achievement. The explosive right-hander needs just three runs to cross the 4,000-run mark in T20 Internationals, a feat that would make him only the fourth player in history to do so.
Buttler has amassed 3,997 runs in 149 matches and 137 innings, averaging 35.06 with a strike rate of 148.69. His tally includes one century and 19 half-centuries, with a highest score of 101 not out. During the current World Cup campaign, Buttler has scored 47 runs in two innings at a strike rate of 151.61, with a top score of 26.
Recently, Buttler also became the third-highest run-scorer in the history of the tournament, surpassing Sri Lankan great Mahela Jayawardene, further highlighting his stature in T20 World Cup cricket.
High-Stakes Encounter at Ahmedabad
The England–South Africa contest brings together two heavyweights of world cricket, each boasting depth, firepower, and experience. With personal milestones on the line for both de Kock and Buttler, the clash adds another layer of intrigue to an already high-profile fixture.
As the tournament progresses into its decisive phase, performances in matches of this magnitude could shape not only team fortunes but also individual legacies.
Squads for the Match
New Zealand Squad
Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (captain), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway, Cole McConchie.
South Africa Squad
Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Jason Smith, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka.