What Quinton De Kock Needs to Do to Get Back into the South African Team

If there is one person who is probably quietly pleased that most of the second Test between Bangladesh and South Africa has been rained out, it’s Quinton de Kock.

The wicketkeeper was dropped for the second Test after enduring a woeful time with the bat in the limited-overs series and the first Test.

It is not the first time in his career that De Kock has faced adversity, though. Soon after making his debut in 2012, he was dropped after a woeful stint in Sri Lanka. That was a wake-up call for the youngster, who went back to his franchise and put in the hard yards to win his place back.

The effort was worth it. He hit his maiden hundred in his second game back and then hit three consecutive tons not long after. His one-day form was enough to earn him a Test debut.

Everything seemed to be going well for the prodigal youngster, but Mother Cricket had other plans. He tore his ankle ligaments just a few weeks prior to the World Cup and the injury threatened his participation in the tournament.

Miraculously, he recovered. But De Kock didn’t look like the same player. His feet were stuck and his shot selection was awful. He found a new way to pick outfielders in every single game he has played.

South Africa then decided he needed to go back to the drawing board. Dane Vilas was selected to replace him in the second Test against Bangladesh. Vilas has not had a chance to prove himself as the bad weather has meant little to no play has been possible. It does, however, pose an interesting conundrum for South Africa but makes it quite clear what is expected of De Kock to get back to his best.

First and foremost, he needs to play some cricket. De Kock will be sent on the A-team tour against India. South Africa A, India A and Australia A will take part in a tri-series that starts next week.

An "unofficial" Test series will follow against India A. These fixtures, however, clash with a limited-overs series South Africa has lined up against New Zealand. De Kock’s absence means South Africa will have to make do without a specialist wicketkeeper and an opening bat. There are a few options for selectors to ponder, but it also underscores just how hard De Kock will have to work to muscle his way back into the side.

South Africa have two tough assignments ahead for 2015. They will travel to India and then host England, both tours consisting of full Tests. It is in their best interest to get De Kock back to form before those Tests, but he will only have the longer matches on the A-team tours to do so.

South Africa’s four-day domestic season does not start until midway through December. For De Kock to return to his former best, he will have to make an impact in the unofficial Tests. If he is still struggling by the time those are over, only time in the domestic game will set him on the path to return.

It’s not the perfect solution for South Africa’s consistency in selection, but it’s the only solution.

All information obtained firsthand.