De Kock reminds coach of Gilchrist

As a player, South Africa's batting guru Neil McKenzie can remember the way his heart used to sink when Adam Gilchrist strode out as Australia's Test No.7.

Tall, powerful and ferocious, Gilchrist gave the Australians offensive punch at a time when opposition bowlers thought the worst was over.

Report: Black Caps start well after de Kock fires

McKenzie now sees the same anguish in today's Test players, including the Blacks Caps, when Quinton de Kock marches to the crease.

The 24-year-old Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman picked up a fast and furious 90 from 118 balls in his side's first innings against New Zealand on Sunday, thumping 11 boundaries and two sixes in less than a day's play at Seddon Park.

Neil Wagner eventually nabbed the Johannesburg native before he could secure a fourth Test ton, but the damage had already been done as de Kock had hauled his Proteas side from 5-148 to a respectable total of 314.

"First-hand, Gilchrist used to do that for the Australians," McKenzie said when asked what de Kock walking to the crease does to an opposition's psyche.

"You know that if he stays there for an hour, he's going to have 30 or 40 and, in a partnership, 70 or 80 runs for that session.

"(De Kock) scores quickly so it's about trying to get him out. I don't think it's about getting him quiet because he's got too many options.

"I didn't enjoy watching Gilchrist walk in for the Australians a few years ago.

"Seeing (de Kock) walk in when we're in a bit of trouble, it gives the guys a lot of confidence."

After struggling with the willow in the side's first Test in Dunedin, de Kock exploded into life in Wellington a week later, blasting a quick-fire 91.

But his score of 90 in Hamilton was made even more remarkable by damaged tendons causing him grief in his right index finger.

McKenzie admitted de Kock needed an anti-inflammatory or two to pull on the batting gloves, but it didn't hamper his performance.

"He's just a genuine talent," McKenzie said.

"He knows his game really well for a young guy. He's very expansive, but technically he's very gifted in terms of how he hits the ball, very late through the off side.

"He can really take the attack to the bowlers, but he does it his way. He's technically very good in terms of the positions he gets into to hit the ball."

However, McKenzie said there was no immediate urgency to elevate the left-hander up the batting order.

"I think he's a really good player for us at seven at the moment," he said. "With the personnel that we've got, I think it's the ideal spot for him.

"I think there's no doubt he can move up. That could be a later question if you're going to play an extra allrounder to give you a seaming option.

"But at this stage it's a very cushy No.7 for us."