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With the dream shattering loss faced in the final of the ICC T20I World Cup 2024 from the hands of Team India, South Africa’s white ball coach Rob Walter addressed the first press conference for the Proteas in their homeland.
Walter has expressed optimism about Quinton de Kock‘s future in T20 international cricket, stating that there is a ‘glimmer of hope’ that the star wicketkeeper-batter will reconsider his retirement plans.
A glimmer of hope
De Kock, who is 31 years old, was speculated to retire from T20Is after the 2024 T20I World Cup. However, Walter believes that there is still a chance that De Kock will continue to feature in South Africa’s white-ball setup.
“Quinny’s an enigma. He hasn’t officially called time. So, we have that little glimmer of hope that sits in the background,” Walter said during a press conference. He acknowledged that, like everyone else, he also doesn’t know anything definitive about De Kock’s future plans.
Quinton de Kock’s stay
De Kock has been a vital cog in South Africa’s white-ball teams for several years now. He has scored 2,584 runs in 91 T20I innings at an average of 31.54 and a strike rate of 138.32. His presence at the top of the order has been crucial to South Africa’s success in the shortest format of the game.
Walter expressed his hope that De Kock will give his T20I retirement a second thought and continue to represent South Africa in white-ball cricket. The coach believes that De Kock still has a lot to offer and that his experience and leadership will be invaluable to the team as they prepare for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Also Read: David Miller opens up on retirement reports after South Africa’s T20 World Cup heartbreak
The fallen stars
Once an invincible team of stalwarts in all formats of the game, South Africa’s white-ball team has undergone a significant transformation in recent months, with the appointment of Walter as the new coach and the emergence of several young talents. The team’s performance in the upcoming series against Pakistan will be closely watched by fans and experts alike.
De Kock’s decision will undoubtedly have a significant impact on South Africa’s plans for the future. If he decides to retire, the team will need to find a suitable replacement who can fill the void left by his departure. However, if he chooses to continue playing, South Africa will have a strong foundation to build upon as they look to achieve success in the T20 format. His decision will have a significant impact on South Africa’s plans for the future, and fans will be eagerly awaiting his announcement.
