Quinton de kock
South Africa impressed with Pakistan security, says skipper De Kock
De Kock is leading a 21-strong squad on South Africa's first tour to Pakistan in 14 years, where they will play two Tests and three Twenty20 internationals.
"Bubbles just make tours longer because of the quarantine period. You stay in your room for a certain amount of time. You get out when we are declared safe. It’s very unsettling."
It is South Africa’s second experience of life in a bio-secure ‘bubble’ following the ill-fated white-ball series against England which was called off early because of positive coronavirus tests, which were later found to be false positives.
Smith said in April that he believed De Kock would be over-burdened by being Test captain in addition to being white-ball captain, wicketkeeper and a leading batsman.
Quinton de Kock, Laura Wolvaardt and Lungi Ngidi took top honours at the annual 2019/20 Cricket South Africa Awards on Saturday.
The fixture is a chance for the country’s leading players to get some game-time under their belts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but will also raise funds for charity.
De Kock has taken over leading the side from Faf du Plessis in white-ball cricket, and had a baptism of fire with three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches each against England and Australia in the last few months.
Smith gave no indication of the likely replacement following the decision of Faf du Plessis in February to step down from the job.
Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen make their comebacks after being rested for the series against Australia.
With the disappointment of the T20 series defeat to Australia still fresh, Proteas captain Quinton de Kock said that the team had an honest conversation about fighting back and chasing scores, something they were failing to do of late.
After a drubbing in the Test series, the Proteas, led by new captain Quinton de Kock, drew first blood in emphatic style in the first of three one-day internationals in Cape Town on Tuesday.
South Africa are seeking to rebuild after a disastrous World Cup in England last year in which the hosts claimed the trophy in thrilling fashion with victory over New Zealand in the final.
The wicketkeeper-batsman, who has replaced Faf du Plessis as skipper of the 50-over team, said his style of leadership will be just like his unorthodox performances with the bat – where tends to mix magical creativity with an occasional lack of discipline.
He made his international debut in December 2012 after an impressive showing at that year’s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Australia and was called up into the ODI squad just a short month later.
Quinton de Kock has been handed the formal leadership in the absence of regular captain Faf du Plessis, who will return for next month’s Test series against India.
The team leaves for the sub-continent on Friday ahead of three T20s and three Test matches.
Defeats to England, Bangladesh and India have left South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton De Kock billing the New Zealand match as a "quarter-final".
Chris Morris made 42 batting at No 8 in a meagre total of 227 for nine following a top-order collapsed sparked by Jasprit Bumrah's double strike.
Against Bangladesh South Africa have the chance to set things right.