World Cup 2023: Sad that Quinton de Kock is retiring at his prime, says Shane Bond

Former New Zealand gun fast bowler Shane Bond reckons it is sad for the game that South Africa’s wicket-keeper bat Quinton de Kock is retiring at his prime. The southpaw once again left everyone awestruck as he scored a scintillating knock of 174 runs against Bangladesh at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday. This was the left-hander’s 20th ODI century and his third of the ongoing event.

The attacking batter showed no mercy for the Tigers as he took them apart with his masterclass. Quinton smashed 15 fours and seven maximums in his fine knock as he batted at the top of his game to help South Africa post a gargantuan score of 382 runs on the board.

De Kock has scored 407 runs in five matches at an impressive average of 81.40 and a strike rate of 114.97 in the ongoing World Cup 2023 and he is currently the leading run-getter of the tournament.

However, Quinton de Kock has already revealed that he will hang his boots from the ODI format after the conclusion of the ongoing World Cup. The wicket-keeper bat is at the peak of his prowess but he wants to go when people say, ‘Why’, rather than ‘Why not’.

“In 50-over cricket, on a flat wicket, on a good surface, you’ve got more time than what you think. It only takes a couple of big overs from the run rate to jump from 5.5 to 6.5. For Quinton, it was home away from home He understands the conditions; he understands the bowling attack he was facing,” Bond was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo.

Bond, who has taken over as the bowling coach of the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, added Bangladesh lacked quality fast bowling against the Proteas.

“Bangladesh was short on quick bowlers. Conversations about the bowlers they were planning to target took place in the middle. It was a perfectly timed innings. He is one of the greats of One Day cricket and sad that he is 30 years old and is going to retire at his prime,” he added.

South Africa will next take on Pakistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Friday.