Aussies are blaming their fingers to go home early: Quinton de Kock

South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has made a huge statement while responding to a question during the media conference ahead of the 1st ODI series against Australia.

The reporter was trying to discuss South Africa’s setbacks in the previous season against India, England and in the tri-series in West Indies. For which, de Kock replied, “Four months in India takes a lot out of you and it was straight from there to West Indies. That’s five months out of the country and constant cricket. It’s tough. That’s why I think some of the Aussies are blaming their fingers to go home early.”

De Kock was referring to Shaun Marsh who suffered a finger injury during the tour the tour of Sri Lanka. Shaun Marsh made a quick recovery from the problem and is now fit for the ODI series against South Africa.

Injuries, however, were a serious problem for the Australians. Marsh was not the only one who had withdrawn mid-way through the Sri Lanka series. Fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and James Faulkner were out with a shin injury and calf strain respectively.

Australia skipper Steve Smith also left Sri Lanka mid-way through the ODI series, citing workload as the reason. Cricket Australia and coach Darren Lehmann backed him and stated that the decision was taken to keep fresh for the series against South Africa.

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De Kock said, “I like to keep confident in my game, I don’t like to get into my own shell,” he said. “My confidence will always be there. Even if we don’t do well it’ll always be there.”

It won’t be a surprise if we witness the Australians coming hard at de Kock in the series. Australia will be tough to cope with despite the absence of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and James Faulkner. The 5-match ODI series will commence from September 30 at the SuperSport Park stadium, Centurion.