South Africa’s Quinton de Kock has expressed his concern over players’ participation in all three formats of cricket if more games continue to be added to the already packed schedule.

Cricket’s gruelling calendar is drawing criticism after England all-rounder Ben Stokes called time on his ODI career last week.

While Pakistan pace legend Wasim Akram backed Stokes’ decision to retire from the 50-over format, former England skipper Nasser Hussain termed the global cricket schedule as “madness”.

“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 (July 24), after England’s third ODI against South Africa was abandoned due to rain.

“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.”

De Kock, 29, took retirement from Test cricket last December, citing that he wants to spend more time with his growing family.

“I’ve been roped in to play a couple of leagues but that’s my own consequence,” De Kock said. “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.”

England and South Africa will now face each other in a three-match T20I series, starting July 27.

(With Reuters inputs)