Quinton de Kock backs off from Nottinghamshire deal on CSA’s request

County side Nottinghamshire has received a blow as South Africa’s hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock backed off from a deal with it after a request made by Cricket South Africa. The county is currently ranked third in the Division One points table and was looking forward to de Kock’s services to make the most out of the four matches in the County Championship in August and September.

De Kock is currently leading South Africa for the final two ODIs against Sri Lanka in the Asian nation after the regular skipper, Faf du Plessis, was ruled out because of injury. The Proteas have already won the five-match series, leading 3-0. According to BBC Sport, the 25-year-old South African gloveman was set to replace New Zealander Ross Taylor whose stint with Nottinghamshire ended in June.

Notts disappointed

Nottinghamshire authorities did not hide their disappointment over not getting de Kock’s services. “We’re disappointed because Quinton is a high-quality player and we would have been stronger with him in the side, but he has a central contract with Cricket South Africa and there is always some risk when you sign a player of his profile,” the county’s director of cricket Mike Newell told the club’s website.

“We would like to strengthen the team for the remaining red ball fixtures and will consider the options that are out there but it’s a particularly tough market at this stage of the season. If there’s something that can be done then we’ll explore it but there isn’t a long list of available overseas talent,” he added.

At the moment, Nottinghamshire have 110 points from nine games with four wins and as many losses besides one draw and they are 43 points behind table-toppers Surrey who though have played a game less.

Nottinghamshire have back-to-back encounters in the T20 Blast this week. On Thursday, August 9, they will take on Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston while on Friday, August 10, they will play Yorkshire Vikings at home.

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