Going to be tough to convince Quinton not to retire: Heinrich Klaasen

Quinton de Kock is one of the finest wicketkeeper-batters of all time. The 30-year-old announced earlier this year that the ongoing World Cup 2023 is going to be his last assignment before he calls time on his ODI career.

Quinton is making his swansong special as his 140-ball 174 against Bangladesh was his third ton so far in five matches in this year’s showpiece event. The southpaw is at the top of the list of leading run-getters in the ongoing World Cup, having amassed 407 runs in five games at an average of 81.40 and a strike rate of 114.97.

Fellow wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen, who has also been in scintillating form, noted that it will be tough to convince de Kock to not take retirement from ODIs after the 10-team tournament comes to an end. However, the destructive right-handed batter hoped that de Kock would make his farewell memorable.

“It’s going to be tough to convince him not to retire. He has been phenomenal for us and he has been great for South Africa over the years. It’s sad to see him leave, but hopefully, he will leave on a good note. He has been brilliant for us in the tournament,” Klaasen was quoted as saying to Star Sports.

I am extremely proud: Faf du Plessis

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis lavished praise on the Proteas for their performance thus far in the tournament. They are currently placed in the second position on the points table with four wins from five matches in the ODI World Cup 2023.

“I am extremely proud. You look at these guys, the way they are playing at the moment, having played with them for such a long time, seeing them on top of their game, I have been a huge fan of watching them play,” du Plessis said.

South Africa will take on Pakistan on October 27 in Chennai. A win in this game will take Temba Bavuma and Co. to the top of the table.