South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batsman, Quinton de Kock, has surprised the cricketing world with the announcement of his retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket following the 2023 World Cup. After making his international debut in a T20I in 2012, De Kock will make his return to the national team for the upcoming ODI series against Australia, commencing this Thursday.
Throughout his illustrious career, the 30-year-old has been a dedicated and valuable asset to South African cricket, particularly in the limited-overs formats. In 140 ODIs, he has amassed an impressive 5,966 runs, boasting an average of 44.85 and 17 centuries, including a highest score of 178. While he bids farewell to ODIs, he is expected to continue his presence in T20I cricket, where he has accumulated 2,277 runs in 80 matches at an average of 32.52, with a remarkable strike rate of 137.33.
De Kock bid farewell to Test cricket in December 2021, following the 1st Test against India in that series. His decision was motivated by a desire to prioritize spending quality time with his family. In the realm of international red-ball cricket, the left-handed batsman accumulated an impressive 3,300 runs across 54 Tests, maintaining an average of 38.52 and registering six centuries.
Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) director of cricket, Enoch Nkwe, expressed their utmost respect for the former captain’s retirement decision from the format and acknowledged his significant contributions to the game.
According to iol.com.za, Nkwe remarked, “Quinton de Kock has been a truly dedicated servant to South African cricket. He established a high standard with his aggressive batting style and played a pivotal role in the squad for many years. He even took on the captaincy, a rare honor. We fully understand his choice to step away from ODI cricket and extend our heartfelt gratitude for his years of service. We wish him success in his future endeavors and eagerly anticipate his continued representation of the Proteas in T20I cricket.”
