Quinton de Kock retires from Test cricket with immediate effect

The South Africa wicketkeeper-batter will remain available across white-ball formats but has taken the decision ahead of the birth of his first child

South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has retired from Test cricket at the age of 29 to spend more time with his family.

The decision is with immediate effect and comes after the first Test against India which The Proteas lost by 113 runs at Centurion.

De Kock and his wife Sasha are expecting their first child in January 2022. He will remain available across both white-ball formats.

“This is not a decision that I have come to very easily," he said in a statement. 

"I have taken a lot of time to think about what my future looks like and what needs to take priority in my life now that Sasha and I are about to welcome our first child into this world and look to grow our family beyond that. 

^{De Kock struck six hundreds during his Test career (Gallo Images/Getty Images)}

"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. I love Test cricket and I love representing my country and all that it comes with.

"I’ve enjoyed the ups and the downs, the celebrations and even the disappointments, but now I’ve found something that I love even more."

Since his Test debut in 2014, De Kock has been a mainstay of the red-ball side, accumulating 3,330 runs at 38.82, with six centuries and 22 fifties in 54 outings

He has also been a reliable figure with the gloves, taking 221 catches and completing 11 stumpings.

De Kock had a short spell as Test captain last summer, leading the team during the Sri Lanka and Pakistan series before quickly relinquishing the role.