Johannesburg – Cape Cobras gloveman Dane Vilas said the emergence of the prodigious talent of Quinton de Kock as the Proteas number-one wicketkeeper was a big factor in his decision to sign a two-year Kolpak deal with English county Lancashire.
Vilas has played six Tests for South Africa since making his debut in 2015, but before the retirement of Mark Boucher in 2012 the Cobras player had been one of the top candidates to fill the position in the Proteas team.
The performances of De Kock, however, in all formats of the game for South Africa has been nothing short of prolific as he already boasts a Test batting average of 51 with three centuries.
“Quinnie (Quinton de Kock) has played so well that I have no real chance of getting back into the South African team,” said Vilas.
“But my commitment to the Buildnat Cape Cobras is undimmed and unwavering. I have told Nabeal (Dien, the chief executive officer of the Western Province Cricket Association) that I will now be available for the Cobras for all games, as I will not be representing South Africa.
“Another factor in my decision to play for Lancashire is that my wife, Pippa, has family over there. Her mother and her two brothers and sister live in the United Kingdom,” he said. In terms of the Cobras, Vilas said the team did well in their win over the title-chasing Titans over the weekend.
“I thought our bowling was superb against the Multiply Titans,” said Vilas. “Rory Kleinveldt, like Justin, led the way as senior players. Rory bowled consistently in the right areas and was brilliant,” added Vilas.
“Last season I batted very well, but I did not contribute too much to winning causes. If I can contribute a half-century or two in the next two games and help power the team to wins, it would be very satisfying,” said Vilas.