South African Quinton de Kock will be an ‘exciting’ addition to the Nottinghamshire squad as overseas player for their Specsavers County Championship Division One run-in, insists Head Coach Peter Moores.

The 25-year-old left-handed batsman replaces Ross Taylor for four-day cricket after the New Zealander came to the end of his stint with the Green and Golds at the conclusion of yesterday’s match with Worcestershire.

de Kock, who has played 33 Tests for his country, has scored more than 2,500 runs at an average of 38.20, while in first-class cricket overall he has more than 4,000 runs at an average of 42.28 to his name.

“It’s very exciting for us because we have signed another quality player who has played all formats of cricket at international level in different parts of the world,” said Moores.

“He is still a young player, but he is already a very good cricketer and he plays in the same aggressive style that we like to play our cricket.

“It’s the first time he has come over to play county cricket, so it’s a really good opportunity both for him and us.

“At the moment, with the way the Championship has set up, we are in a good position, and we hope Quinton can help us push on.

“We targeted a batsman as overseas because we wanted someone to replace Ross Taylor, and in Quinton we have got someone from the top drawer.”

“At the moment, with the way the Championship has set up, we are in a good position, and we hope Quinton can help us push on.”

Moores confirmed that while Tom Moores will retain wicketkeeping duties, de Kock will be available to don the gloves if required.

He also confirmed that one of overseas duo Dan Christian and Ish Sodhi could play in the Specsavers County Championship match against Surrey from 22 to 25 July – sandwiched between two banks of Vitality Blast matches – if required.

Moores added: “We are going to use Quinton as a batsman in our middle order, with Tom Moores keeping the gloves, but he gives us some valuable cover along with Riki (Wessels).

“For the Surrey game at the back end of July, we can play one of our T20 overseas players if we want to.

“It’s an option, but we won’t decide on that until close to the time.”

Tom Moores bruised his collar bone in the field against Worcestershire and was forced off, being replaced behind the stumps by Wessels.

But he is expected to be fit for the Notts Outlaws first T20 match of the summer against Birmingham Bears on Wednesday (6.30pm start).

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T20 returns to Trent Bridge on 4 July with a 2017 Finals Day rematch of Notts Outlaws v Birmingham Bears. Tickets are £10 in advance for adults, £7 for over-65s & under-21s and £5 for under 16s. Secure your seats now.