Cricket-De Kock finds peak form at World Cup ahead of 50-overs retirement

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 - Australia v South Africa - Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, India - October 12, 2023 South Africa's Quinton de Kock celebrates after reaching his century REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

(Reuters) - Quinton de Kock will retire from the 50-overs format after the Cricket World Cup but he looks to be going out at the peak of his powers after back-to-back centuries in India fuelled belief that South Africa can be trophy contenders.

The wicketkeeper-batsman struck 100 from 84 balls against Sri Lanka in their opener and followed that up with 109 from 106 versus Australia on Thursday to help his side to two thumping wins at the start of a campaign where many had written them off.