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- Quinton de Kock says his captaincy on the Proteas Trial side is a short-term appointment.
- Proteas management, he says, is looking for a long-term leadership solution.
- De Kock confirmed that he will take the wicket gloves in the next series against Sri Lanka.
He is currently the captain in all three formats, but Quinton de Kock He insists that his leadership on the Proteas Test side is a short-term job.
That was the very clear message from the 28-year-old on Monday.
The South Africans have entered their Irene Country Club bio-bubble just outside Centurion ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka on Boxing Day, but there is still no clear indication of what their 11 starters will look like.
Two Proteas in the current squad tested positive for the coronavirus but cannot be named due to the doctor / patient confidentiality agreements that Cricket South Africa (CSA) adheres to.
One thing that’s for sure, however, is that De Kock will be the team captain in test cricket for the first time when they cross the ropes at SuperSport Park.
Shortly after taking the reins as national cricket director last year, Graeme Smith had stated that De Kock would not be the new Test captain.
The obvious thought that the player, one of South Africa’s key weapons across all formats, already had too much on his plate.
Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and even spinner Keshav Maharaj have been identified as possible candidates for the role, but given the current climate of uncertainty surrounding sport of any kind, the brain trust has opted for a slice of consistency.
This, it seems, is not the ideal time for a new leader to try to stamp his mark on the side of the Test, and that is understandable.
However, de Kock had a hard time convincing.
“The guys called me and when they told me about the situation, I understood where they were coming from,” he said Monday.
“I didn’t accept it right away. I thought about it.
“It’s just now for this season … it’s not a long-term thing. I think it’s until we get someone who really raises their hand as a leader on the test team and wants to take over.
“The guys are looking for a long-term leadership role and unfortunately I won’t, as I have said in the past. There’s a lot on my plate, but I’m happy to do it just for now.”
With Kyle Verreynne also on the current squad, it has been thought that De Kock assuming the captaincy could see him turn over the gloves and play like a specialized hitter against Sri Lanka.
But that will not happen.
“I will stick to test cricket. Actually, I was not going to stay in ODI against England and we were going to give someone else a chance,” De Kock revealed.
“We’re looking at things again now that I’m looking after the test team for a while and we’re looking for ways to get things off my back, but in test cricket I think I need to be there as a goalkeeper so I’ll make him stay there.” .
The last time Sri Lanka was in the country, it surprised the Proteas with victories in Durban and Port Elizabeth to claim a historic 2-0 victory in the test series.
“We’re all really looking forward to getting back on the proving ground. It’s been a while and the guys are hungry,” De Kock said.
“We don’t have many of those team members who were part of that losing battle against Sri Lanka the last time they were here.”
