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De Kock lights fuse with finger jibe

Proteas batsman sets scene for ODI series with reference to Shaun Marsh's broken finger

South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has fired the first shot ahead of the five-match ODI series against Australia, suggesting injured batsman Shaun Marsh has used the broken finger he suffered a month ago as an excuse to get out of the tour.

De Kock, who has represented his country more than 100 times across all forms of the game, spoke to reporters ahead of Friday’s opening one-day international in Centurion.

When asked about South Africa’s disappointing record over the past 12 months, which includes defeats to India (4-0 away) and England (2-1 home) in Test cricket and June’s ODI tri-series in the Caribbean, the left-hander turned his attention to the Australians, and seemed to make a particular reference to Marsh's injured finger.

"Four months in India takes a lot out of you and it was straight from there to West Indies,” de Kock said of South Africa's recent schedule.

"That's five months out of the country and constant cricket. It's tough.

"That's why I think some of the Aussies are blaming their fingers to go home early."

Australia remove De Kock early


Marsh was sent home from the recent Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka after fracturing the little finger on his left hand in the third ODI in Dambulla, joining Steve O'Keefe, Aaron Finch and Chris Lynn as casualties from the long tour.

The left-hander was originally named in the 15-man 50-over squad to tour South Africa, but he was unable to prove his fitness and was replaced by Usman Khawaja just days before the team's departure.

The 33-year-old suffered a further setback yesterday when he was replaced in Western Australia’s squad for the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup, although he can return later in the tournament if he is fully fit.

De Kock will be hoping to use the coming series to improve on his career record against Australia, which currently stands at one century from 11 matches and an average of 24.60.

De Kock's first ton on Aussie soil


Without the 107 he scored in a dead rubber at the SCG in November 2014, the left-hander’s average drops to 15.40 against the men in the green and gold.

De Kock also struggled against the Australians in the Caribbean in June, registering scores of 18, 19 and 5no as the Proteas failed to advance to the tri-series final.