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- Proteas ODI and T20I captain Quinton de Kock has also been named test captain for the 2020/21 season, CSA announced on Friday.
- Sarel Erwee, Glenton Stuurman and Kyle Verreynne have received inaugural calls from Proteas Test for the incoming tour of Sri Lanka.
- The rest of the test team sees Aiden Markram return, but fit Cobras starter Pieter Malan missed the cut.
Captain of Proteas One Day International and T20I Quinton de Kock
he has also been named test captain for the 2020/21 season, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Friday.
De Kock succeeds Faf du Plessis, who gave up the reins following South Africa’s 3-1 Test series defeat to England at home last season.
De Kock was initially ruled out by the CSA cricket director. Graeme smith earlier this year due to his already accumulated commitments as a key hitter and goalkeeper.
However, CSA said in its announcement statement:
De Kock’s appointment for this season is motivated by the light load of test cricket this season, with Proteas only playing three series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia respectively. The National Selection Panel led by the Coordinator of Selectors, Victor mpitsang, is confident in De Kock’s leadership abilities and the leadership he has shown thus far and will spend the next few months finalizing the appointment of the player who will assume the permanent role.
READ | The starters play a decisive role in the selection of the captain of the test
“We are satisfied, as a national team panel, with the decision we have made to ensure continuity within the team, as we work to make the best decision for their future without the pressure of time constraints,” said head coach Mpitsang .
“Quinton is happy to continue in the role next season and is comfortable with balancing the workload and we fully support him as captain.
“We are also satisfied with the leadership group of the team and, at the same time, we are cultivating a strong culture of individual leadership, so that the team produces a sustainable flow of potential captains for the future.”
Also in the race for the spot were starters Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram, as well as Temba Bavuma.
A long-term captain, reading between the lines, may well be appointed after South Africa’s 2020/21 season commitments are fulfilled, beginning with a two-round series against Sri Lanka at home starting on Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, Sarel Erwee (Dolphins), Glenton Stuurman (Warriors), and Kyle Verreynne (Cape Cobras) have received test calls from Proteas for the incoming tour of Sri Lanka.
The inclusion of Verreynne could, if necessary, put De Kock to rest from ground maintenance tasks while he leads the team.
The rest of the test team sees Markram return to the team that also includes former captain Du Plessis, Bavuma, Keegan Petersen and Wiaan Mulder.
Starter Pieter Malan, who has been in great shape for the Cobras, was a surprise omission.
“It goes without saying that we are very excited about the choices we have made for the test team,” added Mpitsang.
“The people on the team are a testament to the fact that hard work will pay off and the selection panel will pay off, and I can’t wait to see what the new calls have to offer.
“While we may be on the ‘young’ side in terms of test cricket experience, we think the team will more than make up for it when they put it to the test, so to speak.
“South Africa is fortunate to have a lot of depth thanks to our cricket line, and the spots for each spot in our national teams are hotly contested. It has not been an easy task to narrow it down to this final team of 15.”
Mpitsang also said: “This series is particularly important to our ICC World Test Championship campaign and the crucial points that come with it.
“We look forward to what promises to be a competitive series and to get a good look at the players at hand. Our last test match at home against Sri Lanka did not end in our favor and we are eager to see the potential emergence that we know. who has this team.
“Test cricket is the pinnacle of every player’s career and is the culmination of many years of hard work and interference, so we know we will not lack the dedication of the players who will wear the green cap. I wish ( head coach) Mark Boucher, Quinton de Kock, the team and their support staff, all the best for this important tour. “
Proteas test kit against Sri Lanka:
Quinton de Kock (C), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Sarel Erwee, Anrich Nortje, Glenton Stuurman, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne.
