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Durban - Morne van Wyk is backing dropped Proteas wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock to come back stronger once he has gained some more experience.
De Kock, South Africa’s wicketkeeper and opening batsman at this year’s Cricket World Cup, has been left out of the Proteas squad for this month’s limited overs series against New Zealand following a woeful run of form.
“It just hasn’t panned out for him since then (the World Cup) but he’s still young. He’s got lots to learn in cricket and also off the field,” Van Wyk told Sport24.
“He’ll pick up some experience and I’m sure he’ll start scoring runs soon. If he gets back in six months or two years … whatever the time frame is … I’m sure he’ll be a lot better and a lot stronger for it.”
But one man’s loss in another man’s gain and De Kock being left out has re-opened the door for Van Wyk.
The 36-year-old was a part of the pre-World Cup T20 and ODI series against the West Indies – his most telling contribution being the 114* he scored in a T20I in Durban.
But he was left out of the World Cup squad after De Kock recovered from injury and was overlooked once more for the tour to Bangladesh.
“At the time I was a little bit disappointed, if not shocked, to be left out (of the Bangladesh tour). I did feel maybe I warranted another opportunity but such is life and the selectors had their reasons,” he said.
“To be picked now is very humbling. I’ve been around the merry-go-round a couple of times so I know what it’s going to take.
“It’s great playing in a Proteas team and it’s even better playing in a winning Proteas team and that’s the focus.”
Remarkably, Van Wyk has never played in two consecutive series for the Proteas. That is very much his goal this time around with a tour to India coming up in October.
“If I can do that then I think I would have ticked a box. I want to go to India and play against England ... it’s a bumper summer in terms of cricket,” said Van Wyk.
The Proteas take on New Zealand in the first T20 in Durban on Friday.
