South Africa’s Coach Rob Walter Talks About Quinton de Kock’s Future in T20Is
Johannesburg, South Africa – South Africa’s white-ball cricket coach, Rob Walter, has shared that he is uncertain about wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock’s future in T20 Internationals (T20Is). Walter mentioned that the door is open for de Kock to discuss his future with the team.
Quinton de Kock retired from Test cricket in 2021 and stepped away from One Day Internationals (ODIs) after a stellar performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup in India last year, where he scored four centuries and helped South Africa reach the semi-finals. Despite his impressive performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, where South Africa finished as runners-up to India, de Kock missed three T20Is against West Indies last month and will also miss two matches against Ireland this month.
After these matches, South Africa will play four T20Is at home against India to prepare for the T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka. De Kock does not currently have a central contract with the team.
When asked about de Kock’s availability for the Ireland series starting on September 27, Walter said, “I do not know, to be dead honest. For the next little while, there will be no conversations between myself and Quinny as to whether he wants to play for South Africa again. I have left the door open for him to approach me if and when he wants to do that. That might never happen.”
Quinton de Kock has been a key player for South Africa’s T20I team, being the leading run-scorer in the T20 World Cup this year with 243 runs in nine innings. He is also the top run-getter for South Africa in T20Is, with 2,584 runs in 92 matches.
Since the T20 World Cup final, de Kock has played in various T20 leagues, including Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He will also participate in the SA20 season three and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Walter emphasized that despite de Kock’s achievements, his place in the team is not guaranteed and will depend on his performance. “There might be a conversation and also that conversation does initially mean it will lead to him being selected,” Walter said. “We have to just allow him to have his space, to play league cricket and to do what he needs to do. What will become more and more important is performance. He is not exactly old [de Kock is 31] so from here on in, it is a performance-based conversation,” he concluded.
Upcoming Matches
South Africa ODI Squad Against Afghanistan
Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, and Lizaad Williams.
South Africa T20I Squad Against Ireland
Aiden Markram (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, and Lizaad Williams.
South Africa ODI Squad Against Ireland
Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, and Lizaad Williams.
Full Fixtures
| Against Afghanistan |
|---|
| First ODI: 18 September, Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| Second ODI: 20 September, Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| Third ODI: 22 September, Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| Against Ireland |
| First T20I: 27 September, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Second T20I: 29 September, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| First ODI: 02 October, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Second ODI: 04 October, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Third ODI: 07 October, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
Doubts Revealed
Rob Walter -: Rob Walter is the coach for South Africa’s white-ball cricket team. White-ball cricket includes formats like One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
Quinton de Kock -: Quinton de Kock is a famous South African cricketer known for his skills as a wicketkeeper and batsman. He has retired from Test cricket and ODIs but his future in T20Is is uncertain.
T20Is -: T20Is stands for Twenty20 Internationals, a format of cricket where each team plays 20 overs. It is a shorter and faster version of the game compared to Test matches and ODIs.
Test cricket -: Test cricket is the longest format of the game, played over five days. It is considered the most challenging and traditional form of cricket.
ODIs -: ODIs stands for One Day Internationals, a format of cricket where each team plays 50 overs. It is shorter than Test cricket but longer than T20Is.
ICC Cricket World Cup -: The ICC Cricket World Cup is an international championship of One Day International (ODI) cricket. It is organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and is one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.
Ireland -: Ireland is a country in Europe that also has a national cricket team. South Africa’s team will be playing against them in upcoming matches.
Afghanistan -: Afghanistan is a country in Asia with its own national cricket team. South Africa will also be playing against them in upcoming matches.
