Quinton de Kock has been named as the new ODI captain of the Proteas, replacing Faf du Plessis for the upcoming England series.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Tuesday tweeted about the news and said, “Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to name Quinton de Kock (@QuinnyDeKock69) as the new Proteas One-Day International captain. #CSAnews #ProteasODIsquadAnnouncement”.
#BreakingNews Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to name Quinton de Kock (@QuinnyDeKock69) as the new Proteas One-Day International captain. #CSAnews#ProteasODIsquadAnnouncement#Thread pic.twitter.com/yr0cdAkUcP
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 21, 2020
Du Plessis was largely expected to step away from the format following the Proteas’ poor showing at the 2019 World Cup, and while no indication has been given on his future, he was not included in the 15-man squad for the series that was released on Tuesday.
“We all know the quality of the player that Quinton de Kock has grown to become. Over the years, we have watched him grow in confidence and become one of the top ODI wicket-keeper batsmen in the world,” CSA Director of Cricket Graeme Smith said in an official statement.
“He has a unique outlook and manner in which he goes about his business and is tactically very street smart. We are confident that the new leadership role will bring out the best in him as a cricketer and that he can take the team forward into the future and produce results that South Africans the world over can be very proud of.
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“We wish him the very best in this new role and look forward to watching him make his mark in this series against the World Cup Champions.”, he added.
The 27-year-old has played 115 ODIs for the Proteas, managing to score 4,907 runs at an average of 45.01. He has 14 tons to his credit in the 50-over format.
De Kock had also captained South Africa’s T20I team for the previous year’s series against India.
For the upcoming ODI series against England, the Proteas have given five newcomers a chance. Lutho Sipamla, Kyle Verreynne, Sisanda Magala, Janneman Malan and Bjorn Fortuin are the uncapped players who have been called up to the side.
Proteas ODI squad for England:
Quinton de Kock (captain), Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Jon Jon Smuts, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Sisanda Magala, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne.
Currently, South Africa and England are playing each other in a four-match Test series. England has a 2-1 lead over the hosts, with one more match left to play.
After the Tests, both teams will lock horns in three ODIs and three T20Is. The first ODI will be played on February 4.