QUINTON DE KOCK DECISION DEFIES GRAEME SMITH'S LOGIC

While it seems CSA have bigger fish to fry in terms of successfully hosting Sri Lanka after England left the series half done, there is another matter brewing...

- SREELATA S. YELLAMRAZU

Who really is in charge of the game? As Cricket South Africa fight England’s aspersions in order to preserve integrity, not to mention itinerary, the smaller footnote of Quinton de Kock’s appointment as South Africa’s Test captain defies comments by their own director of cricket even as another series looms larger closer to the horizon.

While it seems CSA have bigger fish to fry in terms of successfully hosting Sri Lanka after England left the series half done, there is another matter brewing. Graeme Smith was equivocal about the fact that Quinton de Kock, South Africa’s opening batsman and wicketkeeper, and as it turned out, South Africa’s limited-overs captain, would not be handed over the Test captaincy after Faf du Plessis stepped down from the rule.

However, in what is a 180-degree turn from the director of cricket’s confident remarks, the South African selectors have chosen to entrust de Kock with the Test captaincy but not without controversy.