Quinton de Kock a huge doubt for Hamilton Test

South Africa beat New Zealand fair and square in the second Test of the three-match series. They have taken an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series. South Africa were strides ahead of their counterpart as they wrapped up the Test in three days.

Going into the third Test, there is only bad news for the Proteas. The already injury-hit side of Faf du Plessis will have to bear even more as Quinton de Kock is the latest member added to that list. Compared to AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn, de Kock’s injury is a minor one. Quinton got hurt during the decisive day of the second Test and reported some discomfort in the index finger of his right hand.

The scans revealed that there is no fracture but the tendon that is damaged. According to the Mohammed Moosajee, South Africa’s team manager, who happens to be a medical doctor, tendons take time to heal about four to six weeks. If he plays the third and the final Test in Hamilton then de Kock will have to pull out of IPL.

As per ESPNcricinfo, South Africa have already opened talks with Delhi Daredevils coach Paddy Upton over Quinton’s participation in the IPL as his taking part in the league may hamper his chances of playing in Champions Trophy.

At least four to six weeks of rest is needed for his finger to recover. Mohammed Moosajee said the same about his injury adding that he might have to skip IPL. He said, “There is every likelihood he will miss the IPL because he will need at least four to six weeks recovery. Being a wicketkeeper, every time he catches the ball, the stress goes onto that area.”

If Quinton is deprived of the necessary rest then he will further aggravate the injury which South Africa don’t want at all. Moosajee was of the same opinion. “The risk is that if he doesn’t have that four to six weeks rest, and he further aggravates it, it could jeopardize his participation in the Champions Trophy. With that in mind and with the England tour after that, it’s important we give him the allocated time to recover for the injury,” said the team manager Mohammed Moosajee.