‘Quinny’ may be a quirky choice as captain but it actually makes sense. . .
QUINTON DE KOCK may be a man of few words when trying to explain his game or the game in general, but that’s not something his teammates find when he’s on the field.
Hence he’s been made South Africa’s captain for the remainder of the ODI series in Sri Lanka.
It is a surprising decision by the selectors given De Kock’s often straightforward assessment of his game.
However, at the age of 25, with 93 ODI caps, an international career that’s heading into its fifth year and as a former SA Under-19 captain, it’s a decision that makes sense - sort of.
On the one hand, South Africa needed a replacement for Faf du Plessis, who injured his shoulder in the third ODI on Sunday and will require six weeks of rest and rehabilitation. Another aspect is the wretched form and loss of confidence by Aiden Markram, while coach Ottis Gibson also noted other aspects of De Kock’s cricket personality that go unnoticed by the public.
“Speaking to the players and through my interactions with Quinton, I could see he has a very good cricket brain, he understands the game,” Gibson said yesterday.
“With Faf injured, now seems like a good opportunity to show that side of his game as a leader for the next two games and see how he does. He understands the game, he’s constantly helping the captain on the field and he shows good leadership even when he’s just a normal player.”
As South Africa’s Under-19 coach in 2012, Ray Jennings didn’t think De Kock set a good example, with Jennings, as tough a disciplinarian as they come, questioning his work ethic.
If there was a problem, it’s not something his coaches noticed at franchise level former Highveld Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana offered lavish praise for how De Kock worked on his fitness and technique - and even in the short period he’s been in charge, Gibson has seen De Kock grow up.
“He’s matured a lot recently since I’ve been here and hopefully that is something that will help mature him further as a player,” Gibson added.
With the likes of Hashim Amla, JP Duminy - who will captain the team in the oneoff T20 next week - and David Miller around, De Kock isn’t lacking for experienced heads to turn to when required.
Markram, who last captained the Proteas when Du Plessis was injured against India, is being given room to regain his form without the burden of leadership - for now, said Gibson.
“He’s not in the team at the moment, he’s had some struggles on this tour, so we thought, ‘let’s have a look at Quinny for the next two games and give Aiden time to just settle himself’, we know he is a fine player,” Gibson remarked.
Markram has scored 44 runs in eight innings in Sri Lanka, including three ducks, and has looked a shell of the player who celebrated a magnificent century against Australia at the Wanderers in March.
But this is a significant growth period for him and given how he has overcome difficulties in the past, backing him now is the right option.
“We are very confident he will catch form again and there will be other opportunities for us to grow that other side of his leadership,” Gibson added.
Whether the selectors want to risk him in the fourth ODI in Kandy today remains to be seen, but certainly there will be an opportunity for Markram’s close mate Heinrich Klaasen, in place of Du Plessis, while it would also be sensible to rest Kagiso Rabada at this point and allow Junior Dala to get an opportunity.
Today’s match is a day/ night affair and is due to start at 11am SA time.
SQUADS
South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (capt), Aiden Markram, JP Duminy, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, Junior Dala
Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews (capt), Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Kusan Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Dusan Shanaka, Upul Tharanga