Quinton de Kock is optimistic about the future of one-day internationals but believes it will becoming harder for top cricketers to play all three major formats.
The South African wicketkeeper-batsman concluded his Test career late last year, just before becoming a father for the first time.
On Sunday at Headingley, he hit a magnificent unbeaten 92 runs against England before the third ODI was called off.
After England all-rounder Ben Stokes announced his ODI retirement during the first game of this series at the star of the 2019 World Cup final’s Chester-le-Street home stadium, concerns over a packed global schedule were raised once more.
“It’s going to start being tough for players,” Quinton de Kock said to reporters after Sunday’s rain in Leeds caused a three-game match to end in a 1-1 tie.
“Three formats is a lot, and it looks like more games are happening across the calendar.”
The 29-year-old continued, “Players need to make individual decisions, and if they believe they can do it (play Tests, ODIs, and Twenty20 internationals), I am pleased for them.
“However, guys must make their own decisions.
I am content with my situation as it is.
De Kock emphasized that ending a 54-match Test career had not yet produced the expected results.
He had two months off after his return from paternity leave, but he has been playing cricket ever since, including in South Africa’s white-ball matches against India in January before the series against Bangladesh.
In the IPL, Quinton de Kock represented the Lucknow Super Giants.
De Kock participated in the Indian Premier League for the Lucknow Super Giants prior to the tour to England, which also includes additional T20 international matches.
Then, after playing in the Hundred, he will stay in England to play in the Caribbean Premier League before another white-ball series in India, which comes before the T20 World Cup in Australia.
Retirement from Tests, according to De Kock, “hasn’t freed up my calendar, at least not this year.”
“I’ve been forced to participate in a few leagues, but that’s my own fault.
“I’m excited to do it.
I’m progressively approaching an age when I need to consider where I want to go in my profession, but it’s still a sacrifice.
De Kock asserted that the (ODI) game is doing well for itself with the manner players are going about it and from a batting and bowling competition, something that South Africa would strive to rectify in India next year.
There is hope for it in the future, and many of us still want to winning 50-over World Cups.
Rain eventually stopped play with South Africa at 159-2 after 27.4 overs, barely short of Quinton de Kock’s 18th ODI century.
The opener was 92 not out off 76 balls, including 13 fours, when play was finally stopped.
He stated, “Obviously, I think it’s wonderful to go out there and score runs for the guys.
As much as the poor weather, the English skipper Jos Buttler was upset with a demanding schedule.
The 12-game, 24-day stretch of white-ball matches for the 50-over world champions, which has included just one training day, is already nine games in.
It’s difficult, said to Buttler, who recently took over for Eoin Morgan as England’s limited-overs captain after the World Cup champion retired from international play.
“You need to properly prepare if you want to play cricket at the best level.
Hopefully, that is something we can consider in the future.
To be completely honest, he continued, “The’s been frustrating; it would be good to have that time to accomplish the work.”