Proteas skipper De Kock to keep on 'keeping on

Quinton de Kock (Gallo)
Quinton de Kock (Gallo)

Cape Town - Quinton de Kock will continue to keep wicket and open the batting despite taking on the added role of captaincy in the Proteas' ODI side. 

The 27-year-old confirmed as much on Monday ahead of Tuesday's opening ODI against world champions England at Newlands. 

There had been suggestions that De Kock would give up the gloves for the series and hand them to 22-year-old Cape Cobras star Kyle Verreynne. 

Instead, it seems that Verreynne will have to play as a specialist batsman if he is to earn an ODI debut.

"Most definitely," De Kock responded emphatically when asked on Monday if he would continue 'keeping.

"It's the one thing that helps me with my captaincy and my batting so it's key for me to hang onto the gloves for as long as I can."

De Kock expanded, saying he had grown accustomed to the challenges that come with being so heavily involved. 

"You guys obviously feel that it sounds like a lot of work, but I've been doing it for a while now and it's become second nature," he said.

"With the captaincy now, it obviously adds a bit more responsibility, which I enjoy.

"I think I'm going to hang onto the keeping and the batting as well."

Verreynne is one of five uncapped players in the squad for the England series with Lutho Sipamla, Janneman Malan, Bjorn Fortuin and Sisanda Magala the others. 

"With the new guys coming in there will be naturally a lot of energy," De Kock said.

"We've got a lot of guys who could potentially make their debuts, so the team is very excited."

Play on Tuesday starts at 13:00.  

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