Quinton de Kock discusses his decision to retire from Test cricket. The southpaw was only 28 years old when he retired from Test cricket, but he had a remarkable record in the most prestigious format.
Quinton de Kock, a South African wicketkeeper-batter, abruptly announced his retirement from Test cricket last year, shocking the entire cricket world. The southpaw was only 28 years old and had a stunning record in the purest form. Many predicted that he would go on to become the most successful keeper-batter in Test cricket history. De Kock, on the other hand, said goodbye to the format in order to spend more time with his young family.
His decision was made in the middle of the Test series between India and South Africa. The southpaw took part in the first match before announcing his retirement. Notably, De Kock made the announcement just days before the birth of his first child, a baby girl named Kiara. The dasher stated at the time that he wanted to devote more time to his family.
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I’ve made my decision and will not change it: Quinton de Kock
De Kock shed more light on his decision, admitting that it was difficult, but he made his decision and will not change his mind. The veteran cricketer even stated that he still enjoys watching Test matches and follows South Africa’s assignments in their entirety.
“Obviously, it came as a surprise to everyone. But I made a decision and I’m not going back on it now. That’s all there is to it. That doesn’t change the fact that I still enjoy the game. I’m still keeping an eye on the boys. The Bangladesh series, the India series, there’s still a lot to look forward to, but I’ve decided to part ways. My reasoning is private to me. “It’s between me and my family,” De Kock said, according to the Times of India.
When he learned of De Kock’s retirement, South African fast-bowling legend Dale Steyn said the southpaw could have played 100 Tests. When asked to comment, the 29-year-old said he had hoped to play so many games, but the reality is different.
“I’m not sure about a hundred Tests because South Africa was only playing about six Tests a year at the time, and I didn’t think I was going to play another ten years of Test cricket.” My body, I don’t think, would have allowed it. “It was a schoolboy dream to play 100 Tests, but I’ve had to face reality and stop thinking like a schoolboy,” De Kock said.
Meanwhile, De Kock, who made his Test debut in February 2014, played 54 games in the purest format and scored 3300 runs at an average of just under 39. Furthermore, he had a strike rate of more than 70 percent and six centuries in whites.
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