• Fans angered as Notts lose out on De Kock

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    Cricket South Africa has requested that Quinton de Kock cancel his short stint with Nottinghamshire to recover from injury.

    The news was a huge disappointment for Notts fans who were looking forward to their side benefitting from De Kock’s hard-hitting skills with the bat. Some fans called for disgraced former Aussie skipper Steve Smith to be recruited in De Kock’s place (as well as one wondering about AB de Villiers’ availability), while many bemoaned the fact that such cancelled contracts have become an ‘alarming trend’ in the county game.

    The news was also a shock coming on the back of the recent 72-run Twenty20 Blast loss to Worcestershire, who scored 206-2 and, in return, Nottinghamshire got bundled out for 134, with only one score above 21. The defeat left them in the bottom half of the North Group.

    ‘Surely someone would have had the sense to check that Cricket SA were going to allow him to play for us BEFORE we bothered to sign him…?’ asked ‘long-suffering’ Notts fan James Spring on Twitter (@WeymouthPIE).

    De Kock’s withdrawal has been officially requested by Cricket South Africa in order for the wicketkeeper/batsman to have time to rest and allow a recurring injury to heal. He first injured his right index finger touring New Zealand and, given the nature of his dual role with bat and gloves, the Proteas are right to protect him ahead of an extremely busy season – especially considering Proteas’ bid for the World Cup in 2019.

    De Kock was lined up to play four Specsavers County Championship matches at the end of the season, and his withdrawal has left a late, gaping hole for Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket Mick Newell to fill as Notts sit third on the table, and 43 points behind current log leaders Surrey.

    ‘We’re disappointed because Quinton is a high-quality player and we would have been stronger with him in the side, but he has a central contract with Cricket South Africa and there is always some risk when you sign a player of his profile,’ said Newell.

    ‘We would like to strengthen the team for the remaining red ball fixtures and will consider the options that are out there but it’s a particularly tough market at this stage of the season. If there’s something that can be done then we’ll explore it but there isn’t a long list of available overseas talent,’ added Newell.

    Photo: Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/AFP/Getty Images

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    Simon Lewis