Cricket South Africa director of cricket Enoch Nkwe has reiterated wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has not retired from T20I competition.
De Kock retired from ODI cricket after the 2023 Cricket World Cup. He had retired from Test cricket in 2021. Earlier this year, he played in Australia’s Big Bash League rather than the Proteas’ T20I series against India. He is currently with the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League.
“He will be available for the T20 World Cup but he understands he needs to perform. He wants to earn his place,” Nkwe told ESPNcricinfo.
Nkwe, meanwhile, has explained why fast bowler Anrich Nortje has not been included in the Proteas’ contracted squad for the 2024-25 season.
Nortje has not played international cricket since September 2023 due to injury. He recently returned to competitive cricket with the Warriors in the T20 Challenge.
“Anrich requested he wants to focus on T20 cricket for the next few months. He is not retiring from any internationals. He will avail himself for T20 Internationals,” added Nkwe.
“Towards the end of the year, he will look to play ODIs again. We will be monitoring him and around to help him with whatever he needs.”