Saturday 25 March 2017 10:18, UK
Quinton de Kock has passed a fitness test and will take his place in South Africa's side to face New Zealand in the third Test, live on Sky Sports 5 from 9.55pm on Friday.
The 24-year-old wicket-keeper injured the index finger on his right hand while fielding during the second Test in Wellington. He missed training on Wednesday and Thursday, while scans have determined the finger was not broken. However, he did suffer damaged tendons and trained on Friday wearing a protective splint.
And South Africa's captain Faf du Plessis admits being relieved at the news that De Kock was available for the series-deciding contest. "It's a big game," he said. "Quinton is someone who you don't just replace.
"From my side, I am trying to have Quinton in my team all the time. He has had problems with his fingers for quite a while. It's part of being a keeper. It's never nice to catch balls on the fingertips all the time and it's been painful for him for a while.
New Zealand need to win the Seddon Park match to level the three-match series at 1-1 but have been hampered by the loss of three pivotal players.
Batsman Ross Taylor has not yet recovered from a torn calf, while the pace-bowling duo of Tim Southee and Trent Boult were ruled out during the last 24 hours with hamstring and groin injuries respectively.
The Black Caps have added uncapped Scott Kuggeleijn into the 13 to provide cover, with Matt Henry and Neil Wagner expected to start.
Captain Kane Williamson also suggested the hosts could consider picking two spinners in Mitchell Santner and Jeetan Patel, with just one all-rounder from Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme.
"It's an interesting process, with so many injuries, to try and nut down the balance we want to go with," Williamson explained.
"[The wicket] never has a huge amount of pace but offers a little bit for the seamers, and I think that side of the block can be a little slower than the other side. So there might be a little spin."
I am trying to have Quinton in my team all the time.
Williamson added that his team will have to play better in Hamilton after collapsing against the left-arm spin of Keshav Maharaj in the second Test.
"There's a number of young guys in the team and they're really looking forward to the challenge of playing one of the best teams in world cricket," he said.
"We want to go out, show some fight, play a few shots, bowl in the right areas, be nice and aggressive and leave it all out on the field."
Watch the third and final Test between New Zealand and South Africa live on Sky Sports 5 from 9.55pm on Friday.
