Live Score
Cricket Teams
Cricket Players
‘Players need to make decisions’: Star Proteas batter opens about schedule woes, says ‘three formats is a lot’
Ever since Ben Stokes retirement from ODIs the debate over cricketing schedule has intensified.
Ever since Ben Stokes retirement from ODIs the debate over cricketing schedule has intensified. Stokes cited playing all three formats as “unsustainable” and since then many ex-cricketers have voiced their concern about the future of the 50-over format. Many have mutually blamed the rise of franchise cricket as one of the reason, while Pakistan legend Wasim Akram, who is the second highest wicket-taker in ODIs, called for the format to be scraped out entirely.
While the debate has mostly been limited to ex-cricketers, South Africa's wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has now expressed similar sentiments as that of Stokes. The left-handed batter feels individual participation in all three formats look “tough” considering the surge in number of matches. "It's going to start being tough for players -- three formats is a lot and it looks like more games are happening over the calendar," De Kock told reporters on Sunday, after England's third ODI against South Africa was abandoned due to rain.
Also Read | ‘Cricket at tipping point’: Former England captain takes swipe at IPL
"Players need to make decisions individually and if they feel they can do it (play all three formats), I am happy for them. But guys need to take decisions into their own hands," he added.
De Kock, who represents Lucknow Super Giants in IPL, took his example and said: "I've been roped in to play a couple of leagues but that's my own consequence. I am happy to do it. It's still a sacrifice but I'm slowly getting to an age where I need to think about where I want to be in my career. As long as I can do it at my own pace then I am happy.
"When you're still young you need to play all three formats and get certain things done in your career. It starts getting harder as you start getting older and the body doesn't cooperate like it used to. It's just a management thing."
The 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batter had announced his retirement from Test cricket in December, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.
