'Don’t think of family when playing overseas leagues for 2 months?' - Salman Butt questions Quinton de Kock's Test retirement

Just after India defeated South Africa in the Boxing Day Test by 113 runs, South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock announced his retirement from Test cricket. It was confirmed earlier that the de Kock won’t be available for the next two Test matches between both the teams because he and his wife are expecting a baby during that period. Cricket South Africa released a statement over de Kock’s retirement where he cited his intentions to spend more time with his growing family for the timing.

De Kock made his Test debut back in 2014 against Australia at Port Elizabeth and played 54 Test matches for his country. He made 3300 runs at an average of 38.82, including six centuries and 22 half-centuries. De Kock claimed 221 catches as the wicketkeeper of his team and completed 11 stumpings.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt lashed out at De Kock over his decision in his recent YouTube video. Butt mentioned that sudden retirements like these spoils the team’s balance and affects the captain’s mindset.

“Quinton de Kock had been playing strange cricket for the last year and a half. He came to Pakistan as captain but did not continue in the role afterward. Now, after playing one Test, he has announced his (Test) retirement. Such things spoil the team’s balance, the selection policy and affect the captain’s mindset,” Butt said.

I have no good words for Quinton de Kock’s retirement: Salman Butt

Butt added that franchise leagues all across the world are snatching young cricketers away from the longest format of the game.

“Players have made sudden retirement a drama. Don’t you think of family when you play overseas leagues for nearly 2 months? Why is it that only Test cricket comes in the way? You are playing cricket in your own country in South Africa. This lack of interest is related to league cricket,” Butt added.

Butt also said that because cricket boards have no say in a player’s retirement, players are misusing this freedom. He also mentioned that abrupt retirements like de Kock’s are something that needs to be looked at seriously.

“Because cricket boards do not have a say in this, it is freedom at the cost of… I can’t explain. But some cricketers have started feeling that playing league cricket is enough. Why do they need to do the hard yards in Test cricket? This is not the attitude to play international cricket. Sorry, I have no good words for Quinton de Kock’s retirement,” Butt concluded.