PRETORIA (Reuters) – Quinton de Kock has introduced his retirement from take a look at cricket, one other blow to South Africa’s brittle prime six batting line-up in the longest format of the sport that has seen them lose quite a few established internationals in the previous few years.
De Kock has cited a want to spend extra time together with his household with the upcoming delivery of his first youngster.
He performed in the 113-run first take a look at loss to India at Centurion Park that completed on Thursday, and was at all times set to sit down out the following two fixtures in the collection whereas on paternity depart.
The 29-year-old will, nevertheless, be lacking completely for South Africa in tests, although he’ll stay accessible in white ball cricket.
“This just isn’t a call that I’ve come to very simply,” De Kock mentioned in a press release. “I’ve taken plenty of time to consider what my future appears like and what must take precedence in my life now that (my spouse) Sasha and I are about to welcome our first youngster into this world and look to develop our household past that.
“My household is every thing to me and I wish to have the time and house to have the ability to be with them throughout this new and thrilling chapter of our lives.
“I like take a look at cricket and I like representing my nation and all that it comes with. I’ve loved the ups and the downs, the celebrations and even the disappointments, but now I’ve discovered one thing that I like much more.”
Wicketkeeper-batsman De Kock scored 3,300 runs at a mean of 38.82 in tests with six centuries since he made his debut in 2014. He additionally took 221 catches and 11 stumpings.
“This just isn’t the tip of my profession as a Protea, I’m absolutely dedicated to white ball cricket and representing my nation to the very best of my skill for the foreseeable future,” he mentioned.
South Africa have additionally misplaced Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis to check retirement in the final three years, all mainstays of their prime six.
(Reporting by Nick Said, modifying by Pritha Sarkar)
