De Kock lights up Kensington Oval

Proteas coach Mark Boucher believes Quinton de Kock is one of the world’s best batters

De Kock will be a key player for the Proteas in the T20 World Cup

Quinton de Kock produced a superb innings to guide the Proteas to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first T20I at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Sunday.

De Kock scored an unbeaten 72 off just 51 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes, as the Proteas chased down the West Indies’ total of 160-6 with more than two overs to spare.

The victory was the Proteas’ first T20I win over the West Indies in the Caribbean since 2015.

De Kock has been in impressive form for the Proteas in recent months, scoring three fifties in his last five T20I innings.

Boucher believes that De Kock is one of the best batters in the world.

"He's a world-class player," Boucher said. "He's shown that over a long period of time."

De Kock will be a key player for the Proteas in the T20 World Cup, which will be held in Australia in October and November.

"He's a big player for us," Boucher said. "He's a match-winner."

The Proteas will face the West Indies in the second T20I at Kensington Oval on Tuesday.