South African cricket has been left stunned by the sudden retirement from Test cricket of wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton De Kock at the age of 29.
De Kock’s announcement came after South Africa’s 113-run defeat to India in Centurion as the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
De Kock was not expected to play the remaining two Tests of the series as he was to take paternity leave, but had been anticipated he would return to the Proteas red-ball team afterwards.
“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 (wife) 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.”
(Photo by Christiaan Kotze / AFP via Getty Images)
De Kock, 29, made his Test debut in 2014 and scored 3,300 runs at average of 38.82, scoring six centuries and 22 fifties in his 54 matches.
The former Proteas Test captain claimed 232 dismissals behind the wicket, 221 catches and 11 stumpings.
De Kock provoked a stir in October when he withdrew from South Africa’s T20 World Cup match against the West Indies, having refused to take the knee before the game.
Cricket South Africa had directed all their players to take part in the anti-racism gesture.
De Kock later apologised for his actions, insisting he was “not racist” and said his stance came from feeling his “rights were taken away”.
He returned to the side for South Africa’s next match against Sri Lanka, taking the knee before the start of play, and insists he remains committed to the shorter formats of the game.
De Kock said: “This is not the end of my career as a Protea, I’m fully committed to white-ball cricket and representing my country to the best of my ability for the foreseeable future.
“See you in the ODIs and T20s.”
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Hard to say .. Media certainly feasted as did of course social media . The BLM thingy anyway is not a cricketing issue it’s a global political and social debate . De Kock just became an unwitting pawn I’m afraid .
CountingSheep
Guest
Was it all that it was cracked up to be , or just another case of the divisive media making mountains out of molehills ?
U
Roar Rookie
Good for him. Still has time to move to a country with a professional cricketing body, become a citizen and play for his new home nation
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Fair enough. Just made it sound like he was dead. :laughing:
Jeff
Roar Rookie
You think? I was just hoping he'd get a bit more rest with some peace and quiet...
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Agree it's a loss for test cricket, but gee, that's a little morbid isn't it Jeff? :laughing:
Chris
Guest
Well, between fatherhood, the grind of international cricket, COVID, and CSA's lack of loyalty it's an understandable decision. An ominous sign for test cricket in general and South Africa in particular though.
Simoc
Guest
Hardly. 100% of the players love playing T20. Its crowds, money, over in 3.5 hours. Test cricket appeals to the old timers in England and Australia ( and me when I have nothing to do), and some in India and Pakistan because they hate to lose to each other. De Kock just doesn't feel the need to b/s anymore.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Gone too young. RIP.
Paul
Roar Guru
Not sure how this can be shock retirement? SA Cricket needs to take a lot of credit for his decision, given the way it handled that issue at the World Cup with de Kock, earlier this year. I'm guessing the tensions that arose there haven't fully gone away, so it wouldn't take a lot to sway him to give up Test cricket. Happy for he & his family he wants to spend more time with them, but sad for Saffers cricket. They can ill-afford to lose another quality red ball player.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I know exactly what you are referring to .. caused quite a stink here when he refused .
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
During the Pakistan tour last year while living in forced isolation De Kock relinquished the captaincy citing a mental breakdown brought on by those circumstances.. I’m saddened but not at all surprised by this announcement.
Tony
Roar Guru
Is he required to "take a knee" before IPL matches?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
When Test matches take so much time and energy from you, and the pay is a pittance compared to IPL, you end up doing it for the love of it. And if something comes along you love more, like he said, tough but also easy choice. Big loss for you guys, but at least he is staying for the short formats.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Big loss ..Can’t help but feel the whole crazy set up of living in bio bubbles etc promted this call . He makes a ton of money in IPL every season so doesn’t need his Test allowance that’s for sure . Opens the door for Kyle Verrynne tho . Best young cricketer in South Africa.
JGK
Roar Guru
Damn.