Quinton de Kock says he won’t go back on his decision to retire from Test cricket.

The 29-year-old made the shock announcement on 30 December last year following the Proteas’ first Test defeat by India in Centurion.

De Kock played 54 Tests, scoring 3,300 runs (six centuries and 22 half-centuries) at an average of 38.82. As a wicketkeeper, he amassed 232 dismissals, including 221 catches and 11 stumpings.

De Kock, who is currently playing for the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, was asked about his Test retirement during a wide-ranging interview with The Times of India.

“Obviously, it was a shock to everyone,” he said. “But I made my decision and won’t go back on that now.

“It is what it is. It doesn’t take away the fact that I still love the game. I still watch the boys. The Bangladesh series, the India series, there’s still a lot that is exciting to watch but, unfortunately, I’ve decided to part ways.

“My reasoning is kept to myself. It’s between me and my family.”

Former Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn said De Kock could have played 100 Tests for the Proteas, but the man himself is not so sure.

“I don’t know about 100 Tests because South Africa was only playing about six Tests a year, and I don’t think I was going to play another 10 years of Test cricket. I don’t think my body would have allowed it.

“It was a schoolboy dream to play 100 Tests but I’ve had to look at the reality of things and not think like a schoolboy anymore.”

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