South Africa’s injury woes have gone from bad to worse as the wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has added himself to the list of injured players. The left-hander has encountered an injury to his left wrist after he was hit in the 2nd ODI by Jasprit Bumrah in the 2nd over.
The hosts are already having a torrid time after losing AB de Villiers and the skipper Faf du Plessis owing to injuries and they have lost the first 2 ODIs as well. While AB is set to return in the 4th ODI, Faf will take no further part in the series. Quinton de Kock too has been ruled out of the remaining ODIs as well as the 3 T20Is that follow.
The opening batsman has struggled big time with the bat in ongoing series. First, in Tests, he couldn’t hang in there for long in all the 3 Tests and then in the 2 ODIs so far, he has managed to score just 34 and 20 runs respectively. He was in severe discomfort after being hit on the wrist by Bumrah and the injury is going to keep him out for 2-4 weeks. The team management will now attempt to get him ready for the first Test against Australia that begins on March 1st.
As per South Africa’s team manager, Dr. Mohammed Moosajee Quinton de Kock’s injury will take 2-4 weeks to recover. “Quinton suffered an extreme blow to the left wrist while batting in the second ODI on Sunday and felt severe pain and discomfort. Further investigation revealed severe bony bruising to the area, with associated swelling around the tendon in the wrist,” he said.
“This type of injury will require between 2-4 weeks to heal, which subsequently rules him out of the remainder of the ODI and T20 series against India. The Cricket South Africa medical team will aim to have him ready for the Test series against Australia starting next month,” he added.
South Africa’s selectors had named a backup wicket-keeper after the first ODI itself. Heinrich Klaasen had received his first call-up in the national side and he might make his debut in the 3rd ODI at Newlands, Capetown.
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