South Africa’s team captain, Faf du Plessis, has confirmed that the team’s leadership is in talks with legendary cricketer AB de Villiers about a possible return to the team for the T20 World Cup.
Mark Butcher, the Proteas’ newly appointed head coach, stated two days earlier he’d reach out to the former captain regarding a potential comeback.
The South African leader voiced his support for AB’s return, mirroring the wishes of numerous fans, and acknowledged ongoing discussions with the player over the past three months.
It’s important to remember that the powerful hitter, Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, retired from international cricket last year.
In a video message, AB de Villiers explained his exhaustion and decision to leave the sport, citing the recent series wins against India and Australia as a suitable time to retire.
Before the World Cup, South Africa’s prior coaching staff reportedly encouraged de Villiers to reconsider his retirement.
They clarified that, contrary to popular belief, de Villiers hadn’t shown any preference for ODIs or T20s. Their focus was on preparations for the 2019 World Cup.
They stated that de Villiers was offered a spot in the series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka before the World Cup, but he chose to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Bangladesh league instead.
The South African Cricket Board received direction from its governing body against selecting de Villiers due to his year-long absence from international and domestic competition.
Zondi confirmed that despite de Villiers’ prominence in cricket, regulations took precedence, leading to the final decision.
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Mr. 360’s Return? De Villiers’ Potential World Cup Comeback Shakes Up South Africa
The South African cricket world is buzzing with the tantalizing prospect of AB de Villiers’ return to the national team for the T20 World Cup. Captain Faf du Plessis has confirmed ongoing discussions with the legendary batsman, echoing the hopes of countless fans and mirroring the recent overtures from newly appointed coach Mark Butcher.
While de Villiers dramatically retired from international cricket last year, citing exhaustion after a string of series wins against India and Australia, the lure of a World Cup appearance seems too strong to ignore. This isn’t a new development; attempts to coax him back were made even before the last World Cup. Previous coaching staff reportedly reached out, clarifying that contrary to popular belief, de Villiers hadn’t expressed a preference for ODIs versus T20s, and offering him a place in series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. However, his participation in the PSL and the Bangladesh league, coupled with the South African Cricket Board’s adherence to regulations regarding a year-long absence from international and domestic play, ultimately blocked his return then.
This time, however, the situation feels different. The open acknowledgment of these discussions, and the clear support from both the captain and the coach, suggests a real possibility of seeing “Mr. 360” donning the Proteas colours once again. The question remains: can the rules be bent, or will regulations ultimately prevent the fairytale comeback that South African cricket fans desperately crave? This story is far from over.