NEWS
Follow UsSince his Test debut in 2014, Quinton de Kock has improved leap and bounds to becoming one of the best Test wicketkeepers in the longest format, with his counter-attacking display. In a statement released by Cricket South Africa (CSA), de Kock stated that his decision was intended to spend more time with his family.
However, that decision has shocked several players, including former South African opener Alviro Petersen, who expressed his opinion over the decision.
"To be honest, I am a bit shocked by his decision," Pietersen told timeslive.co.za.
The former opener also noted that the left-hander was not quite at his 100% during the first Test against India. He also stated that his form could have been a direct or indirect result of the stuff happening with his family.
"During the lunch break of day five in Centurion, I noticed that he was not quite 100 percent because Quinny is a player who likes to play his shots," Pietersen was quoted as saying by timeslive.co.za.
"Often when there is stuff happening with family or you are on a long tour, one foot is always on the plane and I had the sense that with him it was almost like one foot was already at home."
Pietersen added that the ‘lucrative T20 leagues’ have largely affected the mindset of the modern-day players.
"I am surprised but you can also understand that all the lucrative T20 leagues around the world and The Hundred (franchise 100-ball cricket tournament in the UK) now have changed the mindset of players," Petersen said.
"In the past, Test cricket was the pinnacle and slowly that is being changed with guys looking after their financial wellbeing. Priorities have changed and he won't struggle to get a T20 or The Hundred contract."