ENG vs SA: Kyle Verreynne's batting position changed after grandfather fell ill during first Test

Team South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne batted one place lower than his designated position in the first Test match against England at Lord’s, London as his grandfather, who was present in the stands, felt unwell.

Initially, the right-handed batter was slated to bat at the number six position. However, after Ben Stokes scalped batter Sarel Erwee during the first innings of the match, pacer Marco Jansen came to the crease instead of Verreynne. However, it did not take long as batter Rassie van der Dussen gave his wicket to England’s skipper within just 12 deliveries, and Verreynne had to take the guard.

Kyle Verreynne could only score 11 runs in the first innings

The right-handed batter could only manage to score 11 runs after he became the 100th Test wicket of England’s senior pacer Stuart Broad at Lord’s. The wicketkeeper-batter stroked only one boundary in his innings but took four catches behind the wickets in the match.

Talking about Verreynne’s grandfather, the paramedics were immediately summoned to the Edrich Stand, where he was seated, and then he was shifted to a hospital in London, where he is recovering well. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has declined to comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, the visitors will take on England in the second Test match slated to start on August 25. The Three Lions have a set of their own problems, and opening batter Zak Crawley is one of them. The right-handed batter has failed to get going in quite a few matches, but the team’s head coach Brendon McCullum has backed the batter.

“You have to think about the overall package. We have some players that have been put in those positions because they have certain skill-sets. I look at a guy like Zak, and his skill-set is not to be a consistent cricketer. He’s not that type of player,” said McCullum.

“He’s put in that situation because he has a game which, when he gets going, he can win matches for England,” he added.