SOUTH AFRICA CRICKET
Quinton de Kock is making a comeback to international cricket after last playing for South Africa in June 2024. On Monday, he was included in the squad for seven white-ball matches scheduled in Namibia and Pakistan from October 11 to November 8.
De Kock had previously retired from Test cricket in December 2021 after the first match of the home series against India. He stepped away from ODIs following South Africa’s semifinal match against Australia at the World Cup in November 2023. However, he didn’t make a public retirement announcement after the T20 World Cup final in June 2024.
Following his last international appearance, De Kock spent his time with family, pursuing fishing, and participating in various franchise tournaments. He played 58 matches for teams like Seattle Orcas, Barbados Royals, and Mumbai Indians New York since then.
The question of De Kock’s international status remained unclear. In a press conference last September, then white-ball coach Rob Walter stated that there were no discussions planned regarding De Kock’s return to the national team.
This conversation did eventually take place at an unexpected hour during South Africa’s recent tour of Australia. New coach Shukri Conrad shared that De Kock expressed a strong desire to return, stating he felt he still had much to offer and genuinely missed representing South Africa.
While it’s uncertain whether De Kock will be a guaranteed selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India, his experience and success rate in ODIs and T20Is will undoubtedly play a significant role in his potential inclusion. With South Africa’s current winning percentage being notably lower without him, it seems his return could be beneficial for the team.
De Kock’s decision to return to international cricket may be influenced by a variety of factors, including his diminishing IPL salary and the need for greater visibility in international competitions as T20 leagues proliferate. His successful return signifies his choice to re-engage in representing South Africa rather than merely being reeled back into the fold.
© Cricbuzz
