De Kock injury is a concern ahead of looming India tour
ANOTHER ONE DOWN: The Proteas celebrate as Morné Morkel takes another wicket in the day-night Sunfoil Test at St George’s Park yesterday. ............................ 309/9 dec AK Markram 125, AB de Villiers 53, T Bavuma 44
K Jarvix 3/57, C Mpofu 3/58 3/13
K Jarvis 23 M Morkel 5/21
.............. 68 all out
..... 121 all out C Ervine 23, A Cremer 18* K Maharaj 5/59, A Phehlukwayo
SA win by innings and 120 runs
ZIMBABWE were bowled out twice yesterday as South Africa swept to an easy victory by an innings and 120 runs as the
Morné Morkel was the destroyer-in-chief in Zimbabwe’s first innings with figures of 5/21, as night-watchman Kyle Jarvis top scored with 23 off 50 balls. Debutant Ryan Burl, who added 16, was the only other Zimbabwean batsman to get to double figures.
Zimbabwe, who are bottom SOUTH Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock was not able to do any fielding, or play any part whatsoever, in the Test against Zimbabwe, and is an injury concern for the start of the series against India scheduled to start next week, after scans yesterday revealed he had strained his right hamstring.
De Kock pulled the muscle while batting on the opening day of the day-night Test at St George’s Park and after being assessed the young wicketkeeper/batsman was told to rest in a bid to be ready for the three-Test series against India, that starts on January 5, officials said.
Enter trusty AB
De Kock suffered the injury when he was running between the wickets in his brief innings and as a result he did not come out to take his place behind the stumps later on Tuesday when Zimbabwe were put in to bat after South Africa declared their first innings on a healthy 309/9.
Instead, AB de Villiers did wicketkeeping duty, having already being pressed into the captaincy when Faf du Plessis pulled out before the start of the Test because of a bout of flu.
Fast bowler Dale
Steyn’s return after a year out with injury was also postponed because of a viral infection.
South Africa met Zimbabwe in a one-off warm-up Test ahead of incoming tours by India and Australia in the next three months.
South Africa, seeking to topple India as the top ranked Test side, will be hoping De Kock, Du Plessis and Steyn will all be fit again next week ahead of the opening Test against India at Newlands in Cape Town. REUTERS