“Quinton slipped and sprained his right knee at home late yesterday afternoon”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has been ruled out of the third Test against England in Johannesburg due to a knee injury.

De Kock suffered the injury when he slipped at home on Wednesday afternoon and was subsequently replaced by Dane Vilas, who scored a career-best 216 not out while representing the Cape Cobras in a Sunfoil Series game against Lions in Paarl last week.

“Quinton slipped and sprained his right knee at home late yesterday afternoon,” South Africa team manager Mohammed Moosajee said. “Initially he didn’t think it was too serious but woke up after midnight in pain and with a swollen knee.

“He will have investigations done later today to ascertain the extent of the injury.”

With Vilas being summoned at such late notice, he had to fly from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg on the day of the Test match. The Proteas were fortunate to have won the toss as they chose to bat first. If they had been put in to bowl, it is likely that AB de Villiers would have had to don the keeping gloves until Vilas arrived at The Wanderers.