South Africa star batsman AB de Villiers proved he is still on top of his game in Test cricket despite taking a near two-year break from the longest format.
De Villiers scored an unbeaten 126 against a potent Australian pace attack in the Port Elizabeth Test on Sunday – his first Test century in three years – to show what the South Africans will miss once he decides to give up red-ball cricket for good sometime this season. The ongoing series is being seen as the last ‘big’ Test series for ABD. “My dream plan is to come back for those Test matches [against India and Australia] and that’s all I can say for now,” he had said in January 2017.
Test cricket has not been a top priority for De Villiers for a couple of seasons. A long-standing back injury plus the demands of playing all formats and various T20 leagues put an immense strain on his body. Unfortunately, he took a near two-year break from the longest format after the 2015-16 season.
De Villiers made a comeback to Test cricket last year. Since his comeback against Zimbabwe in December, the 34-year old has made 461 runs in 10 innings at an average of 57.62.
Most of the runs have been made on some of the toughest wickets seen in South Africa in recent times and against the high quality attacks of India and Australia.
So far this series de Villiers has made 197 runs at a strike rate of 71.89 without being dismissed by a bowler #SAvAUS
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) March 11, 2018
In Port Elizabeth on Sunday, De Villiers got good support from the tail as South Africa took a lead of 139 after being dismissed for 382.
Seamer Vernon Philander (36) and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (30) helped De Villiers add 84 for the eighth and 58 for the ninth wicket as South Africa pushed ahead.
Australia’s fast bowlers struggled against a rampant De Villiers who played strokes all around the wicket. He hit 20 fours and a six in a 146-ball innings. It was his 22nd Test century and sixth against Australia.
But more than the runs, it has been the manner in which he has scored them – looking completely at ease while everyone else struggles to put bat to ball – is what has stood out since his comeback. If these indeed are some of the final few Test knocks from De Villiers, we need to savour every bit of it. AB has shown Test cricket needs him more than the other way around.
