Quinton de Kock ‘boosts’ South Africa’s white

South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has reversed his retirement from ODI cricket and been recalled to South Africa’s white-ball squads for next month’s tour of Pakistan, as well as a one-off T20I against Namibia.

De Kock had stepped away from the 50-over format after the 2023 ODI World Cup, with his last appearance for South Africa coming in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados. While he never formally announced a T20I retirement, he was overlooked in subsequent squads and former coach Rob Walter had admitted uncertainty over his future.

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In the meantime, de Kock stayed active on the global T20 circuit, most recently in the Caribbean Premier League.

Current head coach Shukri Conrad confirmed the development, saying that a conversation with de Kock paved the way for his comeback. “Quinton’s return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us,” Conrad said.

“When we spoke last month about his future, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country. Everyone knows the quality he brings to the side, and having him back can only benefit the team,” Conrad added.

At the time of his ODI retirement, de Kock had left the door slightly ajar, especially with South Africa set to host the 2027 World Cup. “At this point, I don’t foresee it happening. But you never know. Strange things happen in life. It could be a possibility but I don’t think so,” he had said then.

De Kock’s record underlines his value. In 155 ODIs, he has scored 6770 runs at an average of 45.74 and a strike rate of 96.64, alongside 2584 runs in 92 T20Is at a strike rate of 138.32. He has featured in three ODI World Cups – 2015, 2019 and 2023 – with the Champions Trophy earlier this year the only ICC event he has missed since his brief retirement, when South Africa exited in the semi-finals.

Rejig in SA captaincy

South Africa’s multi-format tour of Pakistan will see new leaders in the mix, with Aiden Markram captaining the Test outfit, Matthew Breetzke the skipper for ODIs, and the experienced David Miller in charge of the T20I leg. Full-time Test and ODI captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the Pakistan tour following an injury in England. Bavuma suffered a left grade two calf strain during the tour.

The World Test Championship holders will play their first Test from October 12 in Lahore, followed by a second outing in Rawalpindi from October 20. This will be followed by three ODIs and the same number of T20Is.

After the conclusion of the Pakistan tour, the Proteas will travel to India for a two-Test rubber, followed by three ODIs and five T20 Internationals.

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