Quinton de Kock ends his ODI retirement
Quinton de Kock has ended his ODI retirement and returned to South Africa’s squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan.
South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has come out of ODI retirement, earning a place in the squad for the upcoming white-ball series against Pakistan and a one-off T20I in Namibia. The 32-year-old had earlier retired from the 50-over format after the 2023 ODI World Cup, where South Africa reached the semi-finals but were defeated by eventual champions Australia.
Quinton de Kock last played white-ball cricket for South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where the Proteas finished runners-up after losing the final to India in Barbados.
Quinton de Kock Returns to ODI Cricket
The wicketkeeper-batter expressed his wish to play for the Proteas in both formats, leading to his return to the squad.
“Quinton’s comeback to white-ball cricket is a huge boost for us. In our talks last month, it was clear he still has the hunger to play for his country. His quality is well known, and his return will only strengthen the team,” said head coach Shukri Conrad.
When Quinton announced his ODI retirement in 2023, he had suggested there was a slight chance he could feature in the 2027 home World Cup. “At this point, I don’t see it happening. But you never know—strange things happen in life. It’s possible, but unlikely,” he had said at the time.
The left-hander has featured in 155 ODIs for South Africa, amassing 6,770 runs at an average of 45.74 and a strike rate of 96.64. In T20Is, he has scored 2,584 runs in 92 matches with a strike rate of 138.32.
Injuries and Changes: Bavuma Out, Maharaj Joins Late
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the Test series against Pakistan with a calf strain. In his absence, Aiden Markram will lead the side. It remains to be seen if Bavuma can regain fitness ahead of the two-Test series against India later this year.
“Temba’s calf strain will keep him out for six to eight weeks, but our priority is to ensure he’s fully fit for the India tour in November,” said Proteas Men’s Convenor of Selectors, Patrick Moroney.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj will miss the first Test and will join South Africa only for the second match of the two-Test series in Pakistan.
South Africa Squads Announced
South Africa Test Squad vs Pakistan: Aiden Markram (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne.
South Africa T20I Squad vs Pakistan: David Miller (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams.
South Africa ODI Squad vs Pakistan: Matthew Breetzke (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile.
