- Quinton de Kock hasn't adopted an all doom-and-gloom outlook on the future of ODI cricket, but admits it has challenges.
- The Proteas star, in cracking 50-over form this year, argues that the World Cup keeps the format relevant though its not being played enough in calendar years.
- He also warns that the schedule will prompt more players like him and Ben Stokes to give up on at least one form of the game.
Quinton de Kock believes the ODI format still has a future because of the World Cup, but admits keeping it relevant outside that window in an increasingly congested calendar is becoming tough.
The Proteas' drawn series against England stoked the fierce debate in this regard after it was dominated by Cricket South Africa's announcement that it was cancelling a bilateral assignment against Australia early next year in favour of its new franchise T20 league as well as English hero Ben Stokes' decision to retire from ODIs.
Ironically, while De Kock remains fully committed to South Africa's limited overs causes, his retreat from Test cricket late last year has also unwittingly moved the issue into focus again, especially because it's allowed him to focus on several international T20 gigs - the very thing threatening ODI cricket's existence.
"There's still a future for it, you have World Cups after all. A lot of us still want to win a 50-over showpiece, so there's a lot to play for," the Proteas wicketkeeper-batter said after playing a starring role in Sunday's rained-curtailed third ODI.
"I want to say we need to play more games, but I don't know how you're going to fit it in. It's a bit of a grey area. You can't play too much cricket, but you also can't play just nine ODIs in one year.
"The game is doing well for itself at the moment, the way players are going to about it, especially in terms of competitiveness. But it's definitely reaching a Catch-22 situation. I'm glad I'm not an administrator."
More disconcertingly, De Kock argues the current playing schedule - whether it features too little or too much ODI cricket - is running the risk of more players following in the footsteps of himself and Stokes in giving up a form of the game.
"It's going to start becoming tough for players. Three formats are a lot. There are a lot of games happening over the calendar years," he said.
"If players feel they can do it, then I'd be more than happy to support them. It's a decision every guy needs to take into his own hands.
"At some stage, you're going to need to be off for a longer period. It's a personal thing."
And when it comes to his course of action, he has no regrets.
"I'm happy where I am. When you're young and new, you want to get through some work and achieve some milestones. So then it's perhaps easier to play all international formats.
"But as you get older, the body doesn't always co-operate that much anymore. It's a management thing to prolong our careers."