De Kock has 'unfinished business,' says Walter as Proteas star bows ...

South African batter Quinton de Kock (Gallo Images)

Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter says Proteas star wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock, who announced on Tuesday that he will retire from One-Day International (ODI) cricket after next month's World Cup, still has some "unfinished business" and wants to bow out on a high.

De Kock was named in the Proteas' 15-man World Cup squad for the 50-over global showpiece that will run from 4 October to 19 November on the sub-continent.

"A player himself knows when it's the right time to step out. Quinny has been a magnificent player for South African cricket in the 50-over format," Walter said on Tuesday.

"He has some unfinished business from a World Cup point of view. It's great to have his energy directed for these five one-dayers and then the World Cup to follow."

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De Kock, 30, who has been on the scene since 2013, made his ODI debut against New Zealand and has gone on to play 140 ODIs for the Proteas, scoring 5 966 at an average of 44.85, including 17 centuries and 29 half-centuries.

His involvement at international level has become a more complicated matter though since he retired from Test cricket back in early 2021, which prompted him to seek more opportunities in T20 franchise leagues.

Ironically, De Kock's decision to still remain in contention for the Proteas' 20-over squad has already hit a bump as his involvement with the Melbourne Renegades in Australia's BBL clashes with South Africa's home series against India in December.

Cricket South Africa are in discussions with the stalwart to find a possible compromise, but a philosophical Walter admitted that the landscape is fundamentally evolving and that loyalties are going to continue to be tested.

"We are living in an ever-changing world of cricket, where the league space is strong and becoming powerful," Walter said.

"The pull on players to be available for national teams as well as leagues [is a challenge] ... and there's an inevitable clashing between those two.

"It's happened and will continue to happen. The most important thing is to manage the whole situation and try and understand the player's needs, especially as we lead up to the World Cup.

"The benefit of it is that our players will be playing strong T20 cricket in the lead-up to the World Cup.

"If we aren't malleable and flexible in the way we manage things, the inevitable end point is players will leave the international game, which is the last thing that we want."

Enoch Nkwe, CSA's director of cricket, hailed De Kock's service to the local game.

"Quinton de Kock has been a really good servant to South African cricket. He set the benchmark with his attacking batting style and was a key member of the squad for a number of years," he said.

"He also wore the captain's armband and that is an honour that very few people get to hold.

"We understand his decision to step back from ODI cricket and we want to thank him for his service over the years. We wish him well for the future but still look forward to seeing him represent the Proteas in T20I cricket."

The Proteas get their World Cup campaign under way against Sri Lanka on Saturday, 7 October.