Quinton De Kock, the renowned South African batsman and wicket-keeper, has announced his retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket after the conclusion of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.
Quinton De Kock’s impact in South Africa’s one-day internationals (ODIs) is indeed noteworthy, having played 140 matches and amassing 5966 runs. His contributions in the limited-overs format have been substantial, making his retirement a significant loss for the Proteas, particularly considering he’s just 30 years old. It’s worth mentioning that he bid adieu to Test cricket in December 2021 and will now focus exclusively on a single format.
De Kock’s journey with the team began in 2013, and he’s been a part of 140 matches since then. His batting talent shines through with an excellent average of 44.85 and a strike rate of 96.08, earning a total of 5966 runs. Among his achievements are 17 century and 29 half-centuries, with a stunning top score of 178 against Australia at Centurion in 2016. In his duty as a wicket-keeper, De Kock has securely gathered 183 catches and accomplished 14 stumpings.
It’s worth remembering that De Kock also had the honor of leading South Africa in eight ODIs. During his captaincy spell, the team earned victory in four matches while encountering three losses.
South Africa Director of Cricket, Enoch Nkwe said, “Quinton de Kock has been a really good servant to South African cricket. He set the benchmark with his attacking batting style and was a key member of the squad for a number of years.”
“He also wore the captain’s armband and that is an honor that very few people get to hold. We understand his decision to step back from ODI cricket and we want to thank him for his service over the years. We wish him well for the future but still look forward to seeing him represent the Proteas in T20I cricket,” he further added.
Meanwhile, South Africa has recently released its 15-player lineup for the 2023 upcoming World Cup, which is to take off on October 5 in India. Notably absent from the roster are the promising young talents, Tristan Stubbs and Dewald Brevis, who had previously starred in the team during the three-match series against Australia. Additionally, the seasoned Wayne Parnell won’t be making the trip owing to an ongoing shoulder issue.
However, there’s encouraging news for Keshav Maharaj and Sisanda Magala, who were in danger of missing out but have made a full recovery in time to secure their spots in the team.
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