In the ongoing World Cup 2023, cricket fans have witnessed the remarkable swansong of one of the finest wicketkeeper-batters in history, Quinton de Kock. Earlier this year, the 30-year-old South African announced that this tournament would be his last assignment in the One Day International (ODI) format, and he is leaving no stone unturned to make it special.

De Kock’s stellar performance has left cricket enthusiasts in awe. His recent innings of 174 off 140 balls against Bangladesh marked his third century in just five matches of this year’s World Cup. This accomplishment is a testament to his extraordinary skill as a wicketkeeper-batter. Follow your favourite cricket team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet. 

De Kock is not just leading the charge for his team but is also the top run-getter in the ongoing World Cup. He has accumulated an impressive 407 runs in five games, boasting an outstanding average of 81.40 and a formidable strike rate of 114.97.

Fellow wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen, who has also been in scintillating form, shared his thoughts on de Kock’s retirement plans. Klaasen acknowledged that convincing the maestro not to retire from ODIs after the tournament ends will be a tough task. However, he expressed hope that de Kock would bid farewell on a high note.

“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 remarked to Star Sports.

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who has been closely following the team’s journey in the World Cup, expressed his pride in the current squad’s performance. The Proteas find themselves in a strong position, currently occupying the second spot on the points table with four wins out of 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 conveyed.

South Africa’s next challenge awaits them on October 27 when they face Pakistan in Chennai. A victory in this crucial encounter could propel Temba Bavuma and his team to the top of the table, solidifying their position as serious contenders in the tournament. Get free cricket betting tips from Nextbet Sports.