Quinton de Kock announced retirement from the longest format of the game

The wicket-keeper batsman from South Africa Quinton de Kock has suddenly announced his retirement from the longest format of the game. However, the 29-year-old has already wanted a paternity leave as he and his wife going to have a new baby in the next few days.

In that case, the left-handed batsman is already likely to leave the South Africa team for the 2nd and 3rd Test against India. The left-handed batsman who wants to spend some time with his family has chosen to move away from the longest format entirely.

He will remain available to play white-ball cricket for South Africa. Considering the statement from CSA, Quinton de Kock said, "This is not a decision that was very easy for me." In the ongoing Test, Quinton de Kock scored 34 and 21 runs in the first and second inning of the game. 

I have taken a lot of time to think about what my future: Quinton de Kock

Quinton de Kock said, "I have taken a lot of time to think about what my future looks like and what need 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.

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 everything related to it. I've enjoyed the ups and downs, the celebrations and even the disappointments, but now I've found something I love even more.

You can buy almost anything in life except time, and now is the time to do the right thing for the people who matter most to me," he added.

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"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been part of my test cricket journey from the start. My coaches, teammates, the various management teams, as well as my family and friends - I couldn't have done it without yours Support made.

This is not the end of my career as Protea, I am fully committed to white-ball cricket and will represent my country to the best of my ability for the foreseeable future. All the best to my team-mates for the rest of this series of tests against India," he further added.