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Quinton de Kock out of IPL 10 but given nod to play against Kiwis in 3rd Test

The wicket keeper batsman will need time to recover from his injury and hence will miss the IPL action.

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After losing out all-rounder JP Duminy, Delhi Daredevils suffered another blow on Friday as South African opener Quinton de Kock was ruled out by the South African Cricket Association (SACA) for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The move was implemented by the SACA in order to make the wicket-keeper-batsman available for the ICC Champions Trophy in June and the England series, later. 

However, de Kock has been shown the green light to play the third test against New Zealand in Hamilton after passing a late fitness test on Friday which has boosted the Proteas.  

The 24-year-old wicket-keeper injured the index finger on his right hand while keeping wickets in South Africa's eight-wicket win in the second Test at Wellington and will need a minimum of four weeks time to fully recover from the injury. De Kock earlier missed training on Wednesday and Thursday and while scans examined the finger was not broken, he suffered damaged tendons.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said that de Kock will be an integral member for the Proteas and was afraid of leaving him out of the series-deciding match starting on Saturday.

"It's a big game. Quinton is someone who you don't just replace. From my side, I am trying to have Quinton in my team all the time. He has had problems with his fingers for quite a while. It's part of being a keeper. It's never nice to catch balls on the fingertips all the time and it's been painful for him for a while. Maybe the cold New Zealand conditions make it worse. It's hurting for him a bit more now but because it's a big game, resting him for someone else is not an option," du Plessis told reporters in Hamilton.

The Kiwis also need a crucial win to level the three-match series at 1-1 but have also lost out three team players to injury. Ross Taylor, who missed the second test with a torn calf, won't be available again, while the pace-bowling duo of Tim Southee (hamstring) and Trent Boult (groin) were ruled out on Friday.  

Du Plessis also spoke about the advantage handed to the Proteas and that his team will make all ends meet to cause a nuisance for Kane Williamson's side. 

"It's a huge blow," du Plessis said. "I always take reference to our own team - if we lose guys like them in our side, it will be a huge loss. You don't just replace that in test cricket. But we know whoever comes in can do a job for the day and we have to respect that. We are trying to put as much pressure as we can on New Zealand and... if we do that, hopefully it will be easier but it's never a guarantee."

(Inputs from Reuters) 

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