Quinton de Kock named ODI captain for England series; Faf du Plessis axed

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has appointed the wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock as their new ODI captain ahead of the series against England. The Proteas haven’t played a 50-over game since the forgettable World Cup campaign last year. Faf du Plessis led them in the mega event and has been dropped from the ODI squad which will play the three-match ODI series against England.

South Africa are currently involved in the four-match Test series against England. The home team is lagging by 1-2 in the contest having lost the previous two Test matches and will have to win the Wanderers Test to avoid the ignominy of losing at home.

Quinton de Kock to lead an inexperienced side

According to Cricbuzz, Quinton de Kock will lead an inexperienced side in the upcoming ODI series against England. Faf du Plessis, after losing the third Test against England, had indicated that he will take a call on his career after the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. However, with his axing from the team, the Proteas have cleared that he is not in their plans in the 50-over format and it remains to be seen if Du Plessis will be picked in the T20I side.

Interestingly, he was ‘rested’ for the T20I series in India last year and De Kock had led the side where South Africa levelled the three-series 1-1. The hosts have awarded a maiden call-up to the several players and have made a lot of changes to the squad which went down in the World Cup. Another major absence from the squad is of Kagiso Rabada who has been rested it seems.

Rabada was recently banned for his aggressive celebration after dismissing Joe Root in the third Test against England. He is expected to return for the three-match T20I series starting February 12.

South Africa ODI squad: Quinton de Kock (c), Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, JJ Smuts, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Sisanda Magala, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne.