De Kock retires from Tests

South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock announced on Thursday his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect.

The shock announcement from De Kock, 29, came just hours after he was part of the South African team beaten by 113 runs in the first Test against India at SuperSport Park.

De Kock said he remained committed to playing international limited overs cricket.

Twice named as South African Cricketer of the Year, De Kock said in a statement that he wanted to spend more time with his family. It had already been announced he would miss the second and third Tests against India because his wife, Sasha, is about to give birth to the couple’s first child.

“This is not a decision that I have come to very easily. My family is everything to me and I want to have the time and space to be able to be with them during this new and exciting chapter of our lives,” he said. – AFP