South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock will be seen in Proteas colors in the upcoming three-match ODI series after his sudden retirement from Test cricket, and Temba Bavuma said that the latter will have a point to prove in the series which begins on January 19.
Bavuma, South Africa’s limited-overs captain, said that they missed de Kock during the recent Test series but they are now happy to see him back for the ODI series against India. The wicketkeeper had announced his Test retirement after the first match of the home series against India, citing that he wanted to spend more time with his growing family.
De Kock and his wife welcomed a baby girl on January 6, whom they have named Kiara.
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Bavuma said during a virtual press conference: “It is good to see Quinny again. We obviously miss him in the Test team. He has made his decision (to quit) and it is a decision that we respect. Having Quinny again within the team is good. Knowing Quinny, he will have a point to prove. I am sure he is also as excited as we are, to be in the team.”
After winning the Test series against the number one side, South Africa’s focus shifted to the ODI series and Bavuma said that his team is ready for the challenge against a strong Indian side.
He added, “In terms of India, it is a strong white-ball team. The ODI squad they put out… we will give the respect they deserve like we do to any other team. We know it is going to be tough considering the Test series. Yeah, we have been preparing as well as we can to be ready for the challenge that comes up.”
The hosts handed a maiden ODI call up to the lanky left-arm pacer Marco Jansen, who was brilliant in the Test series, taking 19 wickets in 3 Tests against India, and Bavuma hinted at playing him in the first ODI.
The skipper further said of Jansen: “Marco has obviously been drafted into the ODI squad. The world has seen what cricketing abilities he has. That was really a no-brainer to get him into the white ball squad and see him display his skills. He comes into contention.”
On being asked about the likely bowling combination for the first ODIs, Bavuma said: “In terms of bowling combination, we have to consider the conditions in Paarl. It is a lot different from the highveld wickets. Paarl is a bit more on the lower side, a bit more skiddier.”
He continued, “Guys like Lungi (Ngidi), Jansen, they come into the picture. Guys who can exploit the conditions. Paarl is quite friendly towards the slower bowlers. Shamsi, Keshav, Linde all come into the picture. Everyone within the squad comes into contention.”
On South Africa batters’ preparations for the spin attack, Bavuma said: “Preparation has been happening for the past year actually. The positive result the guys displayed in Sri Lanka during the series there last year. You must have seen it in the T20 WC as well. Coming up against India, spin bowling is a strength of them, we will try to prepare as well as we can to mitigate that.”
He signed off by saying, “There is always pressure. There is no bigger motivation for this group of guys than coming up against a strong outfit which the Indian team is. Come tomorrow we must make sure we pitch up and need to do what we do.”
(With PTI Inputs)
