New Proteas ODI skipper Quinton De Kock will not be handing over the gloves as South Africa prepare for the challenge of facing world champions England, starting on Tuesday at Newlands.

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The subject of the wicketkeeper duties has garnered a lot of media buzz, especially with the presence of 22-year-old Cape Cobras star Kyle Verreynne in the squad. De Kock, though, has now ended speculation by coming out forcefully in his opposition to playing as a batsman only.

‘Most definitely,’ De Kock said when asked if he will be behind the stumps on Tuesday.

‘It’s the one thing that helps me with my captaincy and my batting, so it’s key for me to hang on to the gloves for as long as I can. You guys obviously feel that it sounds like a lot of work, but I’ve been doing it for a while now and it’s become second nature.

‘With the captaincy now, it obviously adds a bit more responsibility, which I enjoy.

‘I think I’m going to hang on to the keeping and the batting as well.’

The match starts at 1:00pm.

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