Finger injury likely to keep Quinton de Kock out of IPL 10

SOUTH AFRICA WICKET-KEEPER batsman Quinton de Kock, who suffered a right index finger injury during the second Test against New Zealand, is likely to remain unavailable for the third Test at Hamilton. 

The 24-year-old is set to undergo a fitness test to determine the extent of his injury. As reported by wisden, SA team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee stated there is a likelihood that the flamboyant batsman may miss out on the IPL.

“We will make a late call on his availability for the match on Friday after he undergoes a fitness test with protective strapping to see if he will be able to bat or keep wicket. Either way, he is going to need a protected period of recovery which will take between 4-6 weeks. In the long-term, there is every likelihood of him missing out on the IPL because of the expected recovery time.”

If de Kock misses the upcoming IPL edition, starting from April 5, he will be the second South African player to pull out of the event. It will be a severe blow to the Delhi Daredevils as JP Duminy too withdrew from the cash-rich tournament after citing personal reasons.

The SA team manager further added that de Kock may need 4-5 weeks’ recovery time to be available and fully fit for Champions Trophy 2017, starting June 1 in England. 

“Being a wicketkeeper, every time he catches the ball there is strain on the finger and it makes it difficult to allow for sufficient time to recover. If he doesn’t have the 4-6 weeks’ recovery time, further activity could aggravate the injury and it could even jeopardise his participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy and the full tour to England.”

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