South Africa’s white-ball coach Rob Walter has opened up about wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock’s future in the T20I format. De Kock, who has been an integral part of the Proteas’ T20I side, was the leading run-scorer for the team in the 2024 T20 World Cup with 243 runs in 9 matches.
Quinton de Kock has retired from Test and ODI cricket
However, the 31-year-old De Kock has not made an official announcement about his continuation in international T20 cricket after retiring from Test cricket in 2021 and ODIs following last year’s World Cup.
Walter remains uncertain over De Kock’s participation in shortest format. “I don’t know, to be dead honest. For the next little while, there will be no conversations between myself and Quinny as to whether he wants to play for South Africa again,” Walter said at a press conference. “I’ve left the door open for him to approach me if and when he wants to do that. That might never happen.”
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De Kock continues to play franchise cricket
De Kock was emotional after South Africa’s loss in the T20 World Cup final against India, and since then, has played in MLC and the CPL. He will also participate in the SA20 and the IPL, which means he is keen to represent South Africa in the shortest format. But, Walter believes that De Kock’s place is not guaranteed.
“There might be a conversation and also that conversation does initially mean it will lead to him being selected,” he said. “We have to just allow him to have his space, to play league cricket and to do what he needs to do. What will become more and more important is performance. He’s not exactly old so from here on in, it’s a performance-based conversation.”
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