South Africa Announce Squad For Sri Lanka Tests, Quinton de Kock Named Captain For The Season

Cricket South Africa has decided to go ahead with keeper-batsman Quinton De Kock as their Test captain, naming the squad for the Test matches against Sri Lanka. Quinton De Kock, who already captains the white-ball sides, would only be a temporary candidate for the role, serving as the leader for the forthcoming red-ball season. Cricket South Africa will finalise a permanent captain in the upcoming months.

The keeper-batsman’s appointment has come even as CSA director Graeme Smith claimed a few months ago that they would not do so as he already has plenty of responsibilities on his shoulder. Quinton De Kock has produced mixed results so far as the limited-overs skipper. Under him, the Proteas lost the T20I series twice to England and once against Australia. But De Kock led the national team to a series sweep (3-0) against Australia earlier this year while also drawing the same against England.

Convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang claimed that Quinton De Kock is glad to receive the role and is comfortable with the workload that comes with it. Mpitsang added that they are equally happy to have him and are pleased with the leadership group of the team and also hope that the side produces a stream of potential leaders in the future.

“Quinton is happy to continue in the role for the next season and is comfortable with the balance of the workload and we back him fully as a captain. We are also pleased with the leadership group in the team and are cultivating a strong individual leadership culture at the same time, so that the team produces a sustainable stream of potential captains for the future,” Mpitsang said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

Meanwhile, South Africa, who will play seven home Tests this summer – two against Sri Lanka, two against Pakistan, and three against Australia, have started the road to the same. The 15-man squad has three uncapped players in Sarel Erwee, Kyle Verreynne, and Glenton Stuurman. The likes of Kagiso Rabada and Dwaine Pretorious – both of who picked up injuries, have not been selected at this stage. The selectors will assess them in the upcoming days to ascertain whether the duo will make it to the squad.

South Africa’s 15-man squad for Sri Lanka Tests:

Quinton de Kock (capt, wk), 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

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