The South African wicket-keeper batsman Quinton De Kock has been declared fit to play in the third and the final Test match. De Kock has cleared the fitness test ahead of the game and is all set to play the final Test match at Hamilton.
An injury on his right index finger made his availability in doubt but De Kock was cleared to play the game before he came out for the net session with a strapping on his injured finger. Faf Du Plessis, the South African skipper, a day ahead of the game, also said that Quinton De Kock is a player who just can’t be replaced in the side,
“It’s a big game. Quinton is someone who you don’t just replace. From my side, I am trying to have Quinton in my team all the time,” du Plessis said.
“He has had problems with his fingers for quite a while. It’s part of being a keeper. It’s never nice to catch balls on the fingertips all the time and it’s been painful for him for a while. Maybe the cold New Zealand conditions make it worse. It’s hurting for him a bit more now but because it’s a big game, resting him for someone else is not an option,” he added.
Despite being fit for the game, De Kock’s availability for IPL is still in doubt as he needs four to six weeks to recover completely for the Champions Trophy.
Meanwhile, New Zealand has suffered a blow as both their frontline pacers Trent Boult and Tim Southee have been injured and ruled out for the last Test match. Scott Kuggeleijn, the uncapped allrounder has replaced Boult in the side.