Quinton de Kock dropped a retirement bombshell last week when he announced he was stepping away from the Test arena with immediate effect.
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The Proteas’ management were aware that their star wicketkeeper-batsman would not be available for the second Test against India (at the Wanderers) and the third and final Newlands Test due to the impending birth of his first child.
READ | NO REPLACEMENT CALLED UP FOR QUINTON DE KOCK FOR WANDERERS TEST
However, it’s now clear that they had NO idea the 113-run first Test defeat to India at SuperSport Park in Centurion would be 29-year-old De Kock’s 54th – and final – five-day match for South Africa.
That much became crystal clear after Rapport spoke to Proteas’ coach, Mark Boucher.
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“You do not expect anyone of his calibre to retire at that age,” said Boucher.
“It came as a shock. But we fully respect his reasons.”
Mark Boucher said the Proteas couldn’t dwell on De Kock’s retirement and needed to focus on the second Test which gets under way in Johannesburg on Monday, 3 January.
The first ball is due to be bowled at 10:00.
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“It’s sad, but we’ll have to keep going,” Boucher said.
“We’re in the middle of a series and we cannot wonder about it for too long. We need to focus on the guys who come in his place and hopefully, they can do something similar to what Quinny offered us.
“He had a fantastic Test career.”
Quinton de Kock played 54 Tests for South Africa
De Kock played 54 Tests for the Proteas, scoring 3 300 runs with a highest score of 141 not-out, at an average of 38.82 and strike rate of 70.93. He also has six centuries and 22 half-centuries under his belt.
READ | QUINTON DE KOCK: 54 TESTS FOR SA – WHERE DOES HE RANK?
In terms of all-time wicketkeeper dismissals in Test cricket, De Kock finds himself in 12th place with 232 (221 catches and 11 stumpings) and was the highest ‘active’ player on the list until his sudden retirement.
His 2.367 dismissals per innings is the highest of all time in Test cricket.
Kyle Verreynne is expected to don the gloves in De Kock’s absence.
READ | QUINTON DE KOCK: 232 TEST DISMISSALS FOR SA – WHERE DOES HE RANK?
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