Quinny insists ODIs have future, but warns of more retirements: '3 formats becoming tough'

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.

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"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