Advertisement

'Shocking': Cricket world in disbelief over sad Quinton De Kock news

andrew reid
·4-min read
Pictured here, Quinton De Kock celebrates hitting a big Test score for South Africa.
Quinton De Kock has called time on his Test career at the age of 29. Pic: Getty

The cricket world has been left shocked and saddened after South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton De Kock announced his sudden and immediate retirement from Test cricket, aged just 29.

De Kock's announcement came after South Africa's 113-run defeat to India in Centurion as the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

'ABSOLUTE LEGEND': Tributes flow as NZ great announces retirement

'UNBELIEVABLE': Cricket world loses it over 'catch of the summer'

OH DEAR: England suffer more Covid pain before fourth Ashes Test

The Proteas star was not expected to play the remaining two Tests of the series as he was to take paternity leave, but had been anticipated he would return to the Proteas red-ball team afterwards.

However, the 29-year-old made the shock move to call time on his career so he can dedicate more of his life to his growing family.

"This is not a decision that I have come to very easily," De Kock said in a statement.

"I have taken a lot of time to think about what my future looks like and what needs to take priority in my life now that (wife) Sasha and I are about to welcome our first child into this world and look to grow our family beyond that.

Seen here, South Africa's Quinton de Kock looks dejected during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match against England.
Quinton de Kock says he still plans on playing the shorter formats of the game for South Africa. Pic: Getty

"My family is everything to me and I want to have the time and space to be able to be with them during this new and exciting chapter of our lives.

"I love Test cricket and I love representing my country and all that it comes with.

"I've enjoyed the ups and the downs, the celebrations and even the disappointments, but now I've found something that I love even more."

De Kock, 29, made his Test debut in 2014 and scored 3,300 runs at average of 38.82, scoring six centuries and 22 fifties in his 54 matches.

The former Proteas Test captain claimed 232 dismissals behind the wicket, 221 catches and 11 stumpings.

Cricket world stunned by Quinton De Kock decision

His announcement was greeted with a widespread sense of shock and despair from cricket fans on social media.

De Kock provoked a stir in October when he withdrew from South Africa's T20 World Cup match against the West Indies, having refused to take the knee before the game.

Cricket South Africa had directed all their players to take part in the anti-racism gesture.

De Kock later apologised for his actions, insisting he was "not racist" and said his stance came from feeling his "rights were taken away".

He returned to the side for South Africa's next match against Sri Lanka, taking the knee before the start of play, and insists he remains committed to the shorter formats of the game.

De Kock said: "This is not the end of my career as a Protea, I'm fully committed to white-ball cricket and representing my country to the best of my ability for the foreseeable future.

"See you in the ODIs and T20s."

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.