AB de Villiers announces return to Test cricket but steps down as ODI captain

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • The 33-year-old will continue playing in all three forms.

    South African batting great AB de Villiers has ended all speculation regarding his future with the country’s Test team by announcing his decision to continue playing all three formats of the game for the national team.

    The 33-year-old has been on a self-imposed break from the Test grind ever since early 2016 when he was part of the squad which took on the visiting England.

    There had been some clamour for the Warmbad-born man to clear his future regarding the Test team and many had even speculated that de Villiers would call it quits in the five-day format.

    But, the right-handed batsman took to social media on Wednesday to inform everyone of his decision to continue playing in all three-formats for South Africa – but he has decided to step down as the ODI captain of the side.

    Faf du Plessis has been captaining the Proteas in the Tests and T20 and is now expected to take over the ODI reigns as well following ABD’s announcement.

    In a video message, de Villiers said: “A lot has been said and written for the past 12 months and I feel it’s time to make my position absolutely clear. Over the past year or so I have tried to manage my commitments. I have felt mentally and physically tired. My wife and I are bringing up two fantastic kids and playing in all three formats ever since 2004 has taken its toll.

    “Together with Cricket South Africa, we have tried to develop a viable schedule which allows me to prolong my career for as long as possible.

    “This strategy has prompted some people to say that I am picking and choosing when to play for the Proteas and even to suggest I am somehow putting myself before the team. This is simply not true. That has never been true.

    “Playing for South Africa is and will always be the greatest privilege of my life.

    “Now to move forward, Faf du Plessis has proved to be outstanding captain of the T20 and Test teams and bearing this in mind, I have informed Cricket South Africa that I would like to step down as the captain of the ODI team.

    “It has been an honour to lead the team for the past six years but it is now time for somebody else to take the ODI team forward and whoever is chosen as the new ODI captain will have my complete support.

    “Following this recent break, I really do feel refreshed and revived. I want to get back on the field and I have ensured the selectors that I will be available for selection in all three formats of the game during the coming season. There is plenty of hard work ahead in the nets and I must prepare properly but I will be ready to play if required from the middle of October onwards.”

    This decision will be good news for all the fans of the batting icon who have longed to see him return to Test cricket for South Africa.

    With de Villiers making himself available for all formats from mid-October onwards, there is a chance he could make a return to the Test side for the visits of Bangladesh and India later this year.

    Recommended