South Africa’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock could partially miss the all-important home Test series versus India, starting with the Boxing Day Test in Centurion on December 26, due to paternity leave.
The chances are high that De Kock would miss the third Test, and potentially even the second, of the Gandhi-Mandela Trophy, with the two games coinciding with the time his wife is expected to give birth to their child in early January.
The second Test of the series is scheduled from January 3 to 7 in Johannesburg and the third from January 11 to 15 in Cape Town.
De Kock’s availability for these Tests depends on when, as per the Covid-19 protocols, he is allowed to move out of the team’s bio-bubble and return. With the new variant Omicron a huge threat, Cricket South Africa and the Proteas team management wouldn’t want to take any risk with regards to De Kock’s movement.
If he leaves the team’s bio-secure bubble at the end of the second Test, he is highly unlikely to return in time for the third Test in Cape Town. This is why South Africa’s selection convener Victor Mpitsang told ESPNcricinfo that he expects the wicketkeeper-batter “to miss the last Test”.
Missing De Kock for even one Test would be a huge blow to South Africa, who many feel are at their most vulnerable right now to concede a maiden Test series loss to India in home conditions. Despite India losing multiple of their players to injury, the WTC finalists are considered favourites. Proteas won 2-1 the last time the India team went there in early 2018.
In case De Kock is unavailable, SA will replace him with one of Kyle Verreynne and Ryan Rickelton, as ESPNcricinfo reported. De Kock was outstanding with the bat during South Africa’s previous Test series in June against the West Indies. The wicketkeeper-batter boasts of a terrific record for someone who has spent most of his career batting No.6 or 7. De Kock averages 39.09 for his 3,245 runs over 53 Test matches.
