NEW CHANDIGARH: Quinton de Kock has always been a care free batter. The hundred in the third ODI in Vizag last week and the 46-ball 90 in the second ODI on Thursday night was routine by his standards, but seemed so refreshing at the same time. He has now proved that the 16-month long voluntary hiatus from the game hasn’t affected his abilities.De Kock’s decision to step away from international cricket at the age of 30 had fuelled talk of player fatigue and renewed the ‘league vs-internationals’ debate. He didn’t shy away from conceding that international cricket had stopped being exciting for him a couple of years ago.
“Prior to my retirement, I was losing my hunger to win games. That time away just brought back my hunger and I was telling the guys I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way,” de Kock said.“When you’re young, you’re trying to just play to score runs and impress. Now there’s renewed energy, I’m playing to win every game. Before, it would be hard to wake up and go play for the team, especially when you play series over and over, home and away. I was getting sick of it because I was looking for a new challenge and I wasn’t getting it,” he said. “Now I feel I can prolong my career. Earlier, I felt if I had continued playing, my career would have ended very early.” During his time away, de Kock realised he had started to miss international cricket. That prompted him to speak to the board and make a comeback. That said, making a comeback was never going to be easy. By his own admission, T20 cricket has changed a lot in the last two years. He focused on staying true to his technique. “I know the T20 game is changing, but I thought I could still keep up. Those who have played all three formats can sustain their careers longer.”
