Abraham Benjamin de Villiers (born 17 February 1984), is a South African cricketer. In limited overs cricket he is an attacking batsman. He was named as the ICC ODI Player of the Year three times during his 15-year international career. His name was also featured in Wisden Cricketers of the Decade at the end of 2019.
De Villiers captained South Africa in all three formats, although after a series of injuries he stepped down from the Test captaincy. In 2017 he stepped down from captaining the national limited-overs teams and in May 2018 announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket.
AB de’s intention for T20 world cup
However, in January 2020 De Villiers expressed his intention to make an international comeback and play for South Africa in the 2020 T20 World Cup.
He gets his last chance to get in to the International team for the last time. South Africa’s head coach Mark Boucher has given AB De Villiers a deadline of June 1 to make himself available for the selection. Where he could make his international return for the Proteas lineup against Sri Lanka this year.
He expect to attend the “selection” after IPL 2020, but the BCCI postponed the cash rich tournament to the mid of April. Due to the rapid spread of corona virus BCCI took this decision.
AB de villiers uncertain about comeback
“I can’t see six months into the future. If the tournament is postponed to next year a whole lot of things will change. At the moment I feel available, but at the same time I don’t know how my body will see it and if I will be healthy at that time,” De Villiers told Afrikaans-language Sunday newspaper ”Rapport”.
“…I might get to a point where I have to tell ”Bouch” (coach Mark Boucher) I was interested, I would like to play a role but I”m not going to be able to play myself. I’m afraid of such a commitment and creating false hope,” he added.
De Villiers said he does not feel entitled to walk into the South African team as has been alleged in the past.
“If I am 100 per cent as good as I want to be, then I will be available. But if I am not I won’t open myself up to that because I am not the type of person who does things at 80 percent. Then I have to do trials and show ”Bouchie” I’m still good enough.
“They should choose me because I’m really better than the guy next to me. I’ve never been the type of person who felt I should get just what I wanted.”
The expected huge event of the year 2020 too postponed due to the spread of novel corona virus. Men’s T20 world cup has been scheduled to play later this year in Australia. Due to the rapid spread the hosts too cancelled all the local and International games.
“I am uncertain about giving a definite answer because I have been very hurt and burned in the past. Then people will again think I have turned my back on our country. I can’t just walk into the team.
“…I have to work for my place and deserve it. It was very hurtful for me last year when people thought I assumed there was a place for me. I feel available and I will give it a go with everything I have, but I don’t want special treatment.”
If de Villiers can make a comeback, the credit would go to South Africa coach Mark Boucher, who convinced him to rethink his retirement decision, taken in 2018.
“I could write a book on ”Bouchie’s impact just on my life, never mind cricket. I rediscovered that when I played under him at the Spartans (in the Mzansi Super League) in December. He was born to be an instructor. When he talks there”s respect.”
“”Bouch” asked me why don’t I give it another go,” de Villiers said.
“I’ve always said to him, ”I’ve never not wanted to be there. I’ve always wanted to be there. It”s just, my life has changed”.”
