The southpaw was just 28 at the time of his Test retirement and boasted a staggering record in the purest format.
South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock abruptly announced his retirement from Test cricket last year and took the entire cricket world by storm. The southpaw was just 28 and boasted a staggering record in the purest format. Many even backed him to become the most successful keeper-batter in the history of Test cricket. However, De Kock bid farewell to the format to spend more time with his young family.
Shedding more light on his decision, De Kock admitted his call was tough but he made up his mind and won’t go back. The veteran cricketer even said that his love for Test matches is still intact and he continues to follow South Africa’s assignments in the purest format.
On hearing De Kock’s retirement, South Africa’s fast-bowling legend Dale Steyn stated that the southpaw could have completed 100 Tests. On being asked to react the same, the 29-year-old said he dreamt of playing so many games but the reality is different.
“I don’t know about 100 Tests because South Africa was only playing about six Tests a year, and I don’t think I was going to play another 10 years of Test cricket. I don’t think my body would have allowed it. It was a schoolboy’s dream to play 100 Tests but I’ve had to look at the reality of things and not think like a schoolboy anymore,” said De Kock.
Meanwhile, De Kock, who made his Test debut in February 2014, played 54 games in the purest format and slammed 3300 with his average being just under 39. Moreover, his strike rate was in excess of 70 and he scored six centuries in whites.
