South Africa head coach, Rob Walter stated that he was left in the dark concerning wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock’s T20I future after he was dropped from two-match T20I series against Ireland in Abu Dhabi later this month.
The flamboyant left-handed batter who has since retired from Test and ODI cricket missed the three-match T20I series last month against West Indies and will remain unavailable for Ireland T20Is.
“Honestly speaking, I really don’t know. For a while I won’t have any talks with Quinny regarding his intentions of playing again for South Africa. I’ve created an opportunity for him to talk to me if he wishes at some point. It might not even occur,” said Walter during the press conference.
De Kock announced his retirement from Test matches in 2021 and ODIs after last year’s 50-over World Cup. He was planning to reveal about his international retirement but played on in order to participate in the T20 World Cup that happened in USA and West Indies. He emerged as South Africa’s top scorer during the mega event contributing immensely towards their runners-up position.
Later on he entered both MLC and CPL while still taking part in SA20 and IPL. Nevertheless, Walter made it clear that this does not guarantee a spot for him as it is solely based on performance.
“He could be talked to, but that doesn’t mean necessarily that he will be chosen. He must be allowed to have his time; he needs to play League Cricket and do other things important for him. Above all else, what matters most now is performance. He is still young after all… it becomes a performance-linked discussion from now,” he said.
In the absence of de Kock, there is no deadline set by Walter on his decision and South African selectors continue going ahead with Reeza Hendricks as opener. Also available are wicketkeeper-batsmen Kyle Verreynne, Ryan Rickelton and Heinrich Klaasen among others. Out of these four however, only Klaasen does not form part of squads for the forthcoming series in UAE against Afghanistan and Ireland because he had dropped out from CPL over personal issues.
“When I spoke with him last week he said something about family matters going on right now. Whenever that one makes a turn around he will probably return,” added Walter.
