Quinton de Kock has been ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series and forthcoming T20I series against India.

The Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman suffered a number of blows as he battled his way to 20 off 36 balls on a difficult pitch at Centurion. One of them smashed into his left wrist, causing severe bruising. It will reportedly take 2-4 weeks to heal.

The injury opens the way for Heinrich Klaasen, the Titans wicketkeeper, to earn his Proteas debut. He was summoned as backup after AB de Villiers was ruled out – also with a hand injury – on the back of an impressive sowing in the Momentum One-Day Cup. He ended third on the run-scoring list with 522 runs, at an average 52.2 and a best of 91, unbeaten.

It will, however, also give coach Ottis Gibson the chance to look at alternate players in the search for the best team to take to the 2019 World Cup. There was a case, too, that Klaasen may have got his debut anyway, given De Kock’s poor return with the bat.

The Proteas take on India at Newlands on Wednesday in the third of six matches, coming in at 2-0 down.

Proteas team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said De Kock was examined after he was dismissed at Centurion.

‘Further investigation revealed severe bone bruising to the area, with associated swelling around the tendon in the wrist,’ he said. ‘This type of injury will require between two and four weeks to heal, which subsequently rules him out of the remainder of the ODI and T20 series against India. The Cricket South Africa medical team will aim to have him ready for the Test series against Australia starting next month.’

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