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Johannesburg - Proteas coach Russell Domingo admitted the inclusion of Morne van Wyk as first-choice wicketkeeper could be a short-term solution ahead of their two T20 Internationals and three ODIs against the Black Caps later this month.
Van Wyk has been recalled to the Proteas limited overs squads in the place of Quinton de Kock who has been struggling with his form since tearing ligaments in his ankle last December.
“Until there is someone that jumps out and stands out as the next guy in line, we know Morne van Wyk will do a good job, he’s been a really good performer for a while,” Domingo said.
Suggesting Van Wyk may be a bit long in the tooth at age 36, Domingo said there were examples of players older than the South African playing at the highest level.
“There is a T20 World Cup not too far away and if you think of Australia that took a 43-year-old Brad Hogg to the World Cup,” Domingo said.
“So at 36, Morne is still at a good age for T20 cricket, he is an experienced player and it might be a bit of a short-term solution but it allows us to have a look at the other options.”
Cricket South Africa's convener of selectors Linda Zondi on Tuesday said Van Wyk would be able to fulfil the opening batsman role while allowing other all-rounders to bat lower down the order.
“It is very important if the 'keeper can give you runs, and if you look at Morne, if you don’t play him up front you would have to look for a place for him in the middle order,” Zondi said.
The 22-year-old De Kock would be given time to rediscover his form with the SA ‘A’ side that will play against hosts India ‘A’ and Australia ‘A’ before playing two four-day Tests in August against India ‘A’.
De Kock’s prolonged stint in the sub-continent could prove valuable to the Proteas should he return to form.
The Proteas will tour India from the end of September to the beginning of December, a trip that will include three T20 international matches, five ODIs and four Test matches.
Domingo believed time away from the pressures in the national squad would do De Kock the world of good.
“All players go through slumps in form so time away from the pressure of international cricket can be beneficial, particularly for a young player like Quinton,” he said.
“We hope he can regain that confidence and work on one or two technical aspects and come back to the South African squad.
“When that is, no-one knows but he's in a good space.”
Domingo was confident De Kock would return to form and reminded people that he was named ODI Player of the Year in 2014 after he scored three back-to-back centuries against India in their tour of South Africa in 2013.
“Those type of performances show what he is capable of and I am pretty confident we will see some more of those from him in the future,” Domingo said.
“With a string of low scores comes a helluva lot of self-doubt and a lack of belief in your own performances.
“Time away from the side will do him good, put things in perspective for him and see him regain that hunger and desire to get back into the national side.”
Proteas ODI squad:
AB de Villiers (Titans, captain), Kyle Abbott (Dolphins), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras), Farhaan Behardien (Titans), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Imran Tahir (Dolphins), David Miller (Dolphins), Aaron Phangiso (Highveld Lions), Vernon Philander (Cape Cobras), Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions), Rilee Rossouw (Knights), Dale Steyn (Cape Cobras), Morne van Wyk (Dolphins), David Wiese (Titans)
Proteas T20 squad:
Faf du Plessis (Titans, captain), Kyle Abbott (Dolphins), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras), Farhaan Behardien (Titans), AB de Villiers (Titans), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Eddie Leie (Highveld Lions), David Miller (Dolphins), Morne Morkel (Titans), Aaron Phangiso (Highveld Lions), Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions), Rilee Rossouw (Knights), Morne van Wyk (Dolphins), David Wiese (Titans)
NZ Tour Itinerary
August 14, 2015: 1st T20 International (D/N), Kingsmead, Durban,
August 16, 2015: 2nd T20 International (Day), SuperSport Park, Centurion
August 19, 2015: 1st ODI (D/N), SuperSport Park, Centurion
August 23, 2015: 2nd ODI (Day), Senwes Park, Potchefstroom
August 26, 2015: 3rd ODI (D/N), Kingsmead, Durban
