After a somewhat controversial year for the South African cricketer, Quinton de Kock has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.
The 29-year-old has ended his Test career, which has spanned 54 matches, during which time he scored 3300 runs (six centuries and 22 half-centuries) at an average of 38.82.
As a wicketkeeper he has amassed 232 dismissals, including 221 catches and 11 stumpings, and has a personal best of six dismissals in an innings, against England in Centurion in 2019.
Read also: Quinton de Kock breaks his silence following decision not to ‘take the knee’
de Kock made the surprising announcement on December 30, stating that the move is a result of wanting to spend more time with his family. De Kock’s wife, Sasha, is due to give birth to the couple’s first child next week.
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“This is not a decision that I have come to very easily,” De Kock said in a statement. “I have taken a lot of time to think about what my future looks like and what needs to take priority in my life now that Sasha and I are about to welcome our first child into this world and look to grow our family beyond that. My family is everything to me and I want to have the time and space to be able to be with them during this new and exciting chapter of our lives.”
“I love Test cricket and I love representing my country and all that it comes with. I’ve enjoyed the ups and the downs, the celebrations and even the disappointments, but now I’ve found something that I love even more,” De Kock continued.
“In life, you can buy almost everything except for time, and right now, it’s time to do right by the people that mean the most to me.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been a part of my Test cricket journey from the very beginning. To my coaches, teammates, the various management teams and my family and friends – I couldn’t have shown up as I did without your support,” de Kock added.
It is a sad day for the Proteas, indeed. Cricket SA’s acting chief executive, Pholetsi Moseki said; “We value his contribution to the team as a leader and we are grateful for the time and energy that he has given the team in years passed.”
Kyle Verreynne will step into the Proteas starting side for the remainder of the series against India.
Read also:
Quinton de Kock ‘takes the knee’ but public says he “doesn’t look happy”
Picture: Instagram