South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has announced his return to one-day international (ODI) cricket, reversing his previous retirement decision. De Kock, 32, has been included in both white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of Pakistan, which is scheduled from October 12 to November 8, 2024. This marks a significant development for South African cricket, as De Kock had stepped away from the international 50-over format following the 2023 World Cup.
During his ODI career, De Kock accumulated 6,770 runs across 155 matches, which includes an impressive total of 21 centuries. Although he had not officially retired from T20 internationals, his last appearance in that format came during the 2024 T20 World Cup final, where South Africa faced India. De Kock was the leading run-scorer for his team throughout the tournament.
South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, expressed enthusiasm for De Kock’s return, stating, “Quinton’s return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us. When we spoke last month about his future, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country.” Conrad emphasized De Kock’s quality and experience, indicating that his presence will benefit the team significantly.
In recent years, De Kock has participated in several franchise T20 leagues, including the Indian Premier League and the Caribbean Premier League. His decision to return to ODIs aligns with his previous hints regarding a potential comeback for the 2027 World Cup, which will be hosted in South Africa. At the time of his ODI retirement, De Kock remarked, “At this point, I don’t foresee it happening. But you never know. Strange things happen in life. It could be a possibility but I don’t think so.”
As South Africa prepares for a challenging series against Pakistan, the inclusion of De Kock is expected to strengthen the team’s batting lineup. The series features two Tests, three T20s, and three ODIs, providing an excellent opportunity for De Kock to showcase his skills on the international stage once again.
