Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

De Kock’s third century on the trot was ruined by the rain

South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock scored his third ODI century in a row against India to lead the Proteas to a strong total of 301 in the third and final ODI in Centurion before the rain came and forced the match to be abandoned.

De Kock was brilliantly supported by captain AB de Villiers, who also struck a sparkling century.

De Villiers won the toss and elected to bat first.

However that decision backfired almost immediately as opening batsman Hashim Amla was caught by Yuvraj Singh at short square leg off the bowling of Mohammed Shami for 13.

Henry Davids could only make one run before being caught by Suresh Raina at second slip off the bowling of Ishant Sharma.

South Africa lost their third wicket just three balls later as Jean Paul (JP) Duminy was also caught by Raina at second slip off the bowling of Sharma.

With the Proteas losing Amla, Davids and Duminy in quick succession, de Kock and de Villiers put together an outstanding 171-run partnership, during which de Kock brought up his fourth ODI century and de Villiers his half-century, before de Kock was clean bowled by Sharma for 101.

De Kock’s fantastic innings of 101 came off 120 balls and included nine boundaries and two sixes.

This was de Kock’s third century in a row and he became only the fifth batsman to score three centuries on the trot after Zaheer Abbas, Saeed Anwar, Herschelle Gibbs and de Villiers.

De Villiers and David Miller amassed a quickfire 53-run partnership, during which de Villiers registered his 16th ODI century, before being given out lbw off the bowling of Umesh Yadav for 109.

De Villiers’ spectacular knock of 109 came off just 101 deliveries and included six boundaries and an incredible five sixes.

Ryan McLaren only managed to make six runs before being caught by Yadav at deep midwicket to give Sharma his 100th ODI wicket.

Wayne Parnell was the next to go as he amassed nine runs before being caught by Rohit Sharma at deep square leg off the bowling of Shami.

Vernon Philander failed to trouble the scorers as he was cleaned up by Shami for a golden duck.

South Africa finished on 301/8 at the end of their 50 overs thanks to a magnificent half-century by Miller.

Miller remained unbeaten on 56 off only 34 balls, which included five boundaries and three maximums.

Sharma was the pick of the Indian bowlers with four wickets, while Shami snapped up three and Yadav chipped in with one.

Before the players could come out for the start of India’s innings, the heavens parted and they were told to stay in the pavilion.

With the rain refusing to relent, the umpires had no choice but to call off the match.

De Kock was named Player of the Series for his hat-trick of centuries.