Quinton de Kock announces retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect

South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect. The southpaw was part of the team that suffered a crushing defeat to India in the first Test. The southpaw will not take any further part in the series. Notably, De Kock had requested paternity leave and was set to miss the remaining two Tests against India. However, he now wants to let go of the white ball format and focus solely on limited-overs cricket.

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De Kock reasoned the need to spend more time with his family as the reason to bid adieu to the longest format. The southpaw has time and time again raised concerns over the challenges of playing regular cricket in a strict bio-bubble which could also be one of the reasons behind his decision. With a new variant of COVID-19 spreading its feet, things are not looking bright in the near term.

"This is not a decision that I have come to very easily," de Kock said in a statement issued by CSA. 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 Sasha and I are about to welcome our first child into this world and look to grow our family beyond that. 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,".he added.

"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. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been a part of my Test cricket journey from the very beginning. To my coaches, teammates, the various management teams and my family and friends - I couldn't have shown up as I did without your support.

"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. All the best to my teammates for the remainder of this Test series against India. See you in the ODIs and T20s," he concluded.

De Kock started 2021 as South Africa captain. He led the team against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. While he won the series against Sri Lanka at home, South Africa were clean swept by Pakistan. De Kock made his debut in 2004 and went on to play 54 Tests for South Africa, scoring 3300 runs at an average of 38.82 with six centuries.