The 30-year-old is coming off a career-best knock of 216 not out in last week’s round of Sunfoil Series matches.
Advertisement
He was destined to arrive late for the first ball at 10:30am (local time) because Cricket South Africa could not book him on a flight earlier than 8am from Port Elizabeth, where he was due to play in a four-day provincial match.
Ben Stokes removed Stiaan van Zyl in his first over for England’s only wicket against South Africa in Thursday’s opening session of the third Test at the Wanderers.
If it is any consolation for South Africa, de Kock did not perform too well in the second game so they are not putting much on stake.
Stokes sent down an innocuous-looking, short delivery which Van Zyl attempted to work to leg, only to get a leading edge which presented an easy catch for wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, who had to jog to a short square leg position to take the offering. Vilas has played five test matches for the Proteas and his last Test was against India last month.
It normally takes two hours to fly from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg, and then Vilas will then have to battle heavy traffic to reach the ground.
Confirming the news, South Africa team manager Mohammed Moosajee revealed that Quinton had slipped and sustained a freak injury to his right knee at home, Sport24 reported.
Advertisement
De Kock suffered his injury on Wednesday evening, reportedly after slipping on steps. Other than the change forced through injury, South Africa have just one change, with uncapped Hardus Viljoen replacing Dane Piedt.
