Faf ousted, de Kock to lead Proteas in T20s on India tour

Johannesburg, August 13

Quinton de Kock was named South Africa’s new T20 skipper for the three-match series against India in September, which will not feature former captain Faf Du Plessis in the squad. 

However, du Plessis will lead South Africa in the three-Test series that follows the T20s, with Temba Bavuma named his vice-captain. “I would like to stress that Faf du Plessis remains an important part of our plans for white-ball cricket,” said CSA Acting Director, Corrie van Zyl. 

Rassie van Der Dussen will play deputy to de Kock in the T20 squad. “The T20 series gives us the last chance to have a look at our leadership and batting options as the next edition of the T20 World Cup is now little more than a year away which is why we have gone with an inexperienced leadership group. This is our last chance to do this before we settle on an established squad,” he added.

Steyn overlooked 

Veteran fast bowler Dale Steyn, who recently retired from Test cricket, was overlooked from the T20 series by the CSA. Steyn expressed his surprise at not being picked. 

Meanwhile, both T20 and Test squads will feature three uncapped players. Pacer Anrich Nortje features in both the squads, batsman Bavuma, spin bowling all-rounder Bjorn Fortuin will feature in the T20 squad. Wicketkeeper Rudi Second and spin-bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy were handed Test caps. — PTI

Kirsten to coach Cardiff team in ‘Hundred’ league 

London: Former India coach Gary Kirsten (in pic) has been appointed as coach of Cardiff’s men’s team for the Hundred league, scheduled to kick off next year. Matthew Mott, who guided the Australian women’s team to T20 World Cup triumph last year, will be in charge of the women’s team at Cardiff. The new eight-team league, the brainchild of the England and Wales Cricket Board, is expected to run between July and September in 2020. The 100-ball matches in the league will involve one 10-ball over and LBW will not be a mode of dismissal.