'It’s going to start being tough for players'- Quinton de Kock has a word of caution for multi-format cricketers

South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has come forward and said that it is becoming extremely difficult for leading cricketers to make themselves constantly available across formats in international cricket. De Kock is now only making himself available for selection in the Proteas white-ball setup.

The sudden decision of England all-rounder Ben Stokes to retire from ODI cricket is indeed alarming and it has forced all the modern-day multi-format cricketers to be a bit cautioned. Stokes, who was a flag-bearer of England’s run chase in the 2019 World Cup final, bid adieu to the 50-overs format citing workload concerns and his inability of performing consistently.

Players need to make decisions individually: Quinton de Kock

“It’s going to start being tough for players – three formats is a lot and it looks like more games are happening over the calendar,” said Quinton de Kock while speaking to reporters after the Leeds ODI was washed out due to rain.

“Players need to make decisions individually and if they feel they can do it (play Tests, ODIs and Twenty20 internationals), I am happy for them,” the 29-year-old added. “But guys need to take decisions into their own hands. For me, I am happy where I am,” the stumper added.

Quinton de Kock also decided to sacrifice his Test career just before the birth of his first child. The southpaw made this tough decision after the conclusion of the Centurion Test match against India in December last year.

In the 54 Tests that he played, De Kock managed 3300 runs averaging 38.82 and a strike rate of 70.94 including six centuries and 22 half-centuries. Thus, in order to prolong his white-ball career and in order to devote time to his family, the opener decided to bid adieu to the longest format.

Meanwhile, Quinton de Kock scored an unbeaten 92 in the series-deciding third ODI against England at Leeds on Sunday, July 24. The South African scorecard read 159/2 in the 28th over before the match was forced to be abandoned due to rain. The series was leveled at 1-1.