Dane Vilas. File photo: AFPJohannesburg: Wicketkeeper Dane Vilas was forced to make a desperate dash to the Wanderers on Thursday after being called up as a late replacement for the injured Quinton de Kock in South Africa's team for the third Test against England.
Vilas was destined to arrive late for the first ball because Cricket South Africa could not book him on a flight earlier than 8 am (local time) from Port Elizabeth, where he was due to play in a four-day provincial match.
However, with South Africa winning the toss and opting to bat it did not matter much.
De Kock sustained a freak injury to his right knee on Wednesday.
"Quinton slipped and sprained his right knee at home late yesterday afternoon," South Africa manager Mohammed Moosajee said on Thursday.
"Initially he didn’t think it was too serious, but woke up after midnight in pain and with a swollen knee. He will have investigations done later today to ascertain the extent of the injury."
The 30-year-old Vilas is coming off a career-best 216 not out in last week's round of provincial matches. He played four Tests for South Africa in India in November, but was dropped after the series.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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