AB de Villiers offers to come out of retirement/now retires for good

[SangasCoverDrive]

None of those players I mentioned are going to those countries anyway so it's not really relevant lol.

But they are still young and can move to the countries. Especially van Tonder who has not played yet for SA.

 

[street cricketer]

Destroyed a bit of his legacy towards the end of his career.

Imagine if Steve Smith suddenly chose to prematurely retire from playing for Australia and became a T20 mercenary instead. That's what AB did who was, at the time of his retirement, and arguably still very much is, at the peak of his powers.

 

[Hasan123]

But they are still young and can move to the countries. Especially van Tonder who has not played yet for SA.

Not every South African player will do that and none of these players have given that indication. Just because some have done it in the past, it doesn't mean every South African player will. Furthermore the majority that have done it is because they aren't playing regularly in domestic cricket. The names I mentioned are regularly playing domestic cricket.

 

[SangasCoverDrive]

Not every South African player will do that and none of these players have given that indication. Just because some have done it in the past, it doesn't mean every South African player will. Furthermore the majority that have done it is because they aren't playing regularly in domestic cricket. The names I mentioned are regularly playing domestic cricket.

Even Devon Conway played domestic regularly before he was kicked out of the team. There is no security for white players in SA. After 2023 WC, only 4 whites will be permitted in playing XI so they could be worse than Zimbabwe in coming years.

 

[Rana]

Countdown to QDQ’s retirement from international cricket. I’m predicting he will no longer be available for selection after the 2023 World Cup

 

[Rajdeep]

Finally the drama ends. AB de Villiers may not admit but he has hated every second of his life the moment he took retirement to focus on the IPL cash cow. World class players like him need glory, meeting challenges is their goal, and playing a T20 league made him feel incomplete and rightly so.

Unfortunately it was a sad ending for him in international colours.

He didnt retire to focus on IPL but did due to quota system SA board adopted towards white players. IPL has a seperate window, so his continuation with international cricket would have no impact on his participation in the league. Looks like it has become a fashion to bash IPL in every scenario which is very unfortunate.

 

[Ab Fan]

So, he stood by his decision. Good!

 

[Snowflake]

Destroyed a bit of his legacy towards the end of his career.

Imagine if Steve Smith suddenly chose to prematurely retire from playing for Australia and became a T20 mercenary instead. That's what AB did who was, at the time of his retirement, and arguably still very much is, at the peak of his powers.

He never had any legacy to begin with. Choked on the biggest stage of all. Never won SA a world title. Performing here and there in bilateral series is insignificant for a player of his talent.

He's been a huge disappointment and no amount of runs in domestic leagues can change that fact.

An extremely talented but selfish individual who didn't fulfill even half of his potential

 

[Hasan123]

Even Devon Conway played domestic regularly before he was kicked out of the team. There is no security for white players in SA. After 2023 WC, only 4 whites will be permitted in playing XI so they could be worse than Zimbabwe in coming years.

Well South Africa have had a team full of white players for years and yet still not won the World Cup. Didn’t hear anyone talking about quota systems then.

I promise you South Africa will not go down the Zimbabwe route.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Even Devon Conway played domestic regularly before he was kicked out of the team. There is no security for white players in SA. After 2023 WC, only 4 whites will be permitted in playing XI so they could be worse than Zimbabwe in coming years.

Do you mind backing up your claim??? Most silly thing i've ever heard. Players should be in the team on merit i.e. whoever, performs gets picked surely. In terms of white players below are just a few who should/are main stays:

Nortje (all 3 formats)
QDK (all 3 formats)
Rassie (all 3 formats)
Aiden Markram (all 3 formats)
Dean Elgar (tests)
Janeman Malan (ODIs and t20s)

Race or religion should not dictate whether you play for your country or not.

 

[BaankeJi]

What was the point of all this? Reminding South African fans that he still existed?

I don't understand either. What happened? He himself offered and then declined. Does anyone have details?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I don't understand either. What happened? He himself offered and then declined. Does anyone have details?

To be honest, I can't say that I care. I'm just glad that this 'will he, won't he?' question will finally be put to rest that he has been milking since before the 2019 World Cup. The only thing that surprises me is why Cricket South Africa engaged him for so long, especially after he abandoned them when they needed him most.

 

[Ab Fan]

I don't understand either. What happened? He himself offered and then declined. Does anyone have details?

This is what AB said some time ago regarding his discussion with Boucher.

<I>Last year, <B>he asked me if I would be interested. And I said, 'absolutely'.</B> And come the end of the IPL, we will have a look at where we are at with regards to my form and my fitness," de Villiers had said.

"Also, the situation with his team - he's got to look at his guys who have been performing well over the last while. If there's no space for me, so be it. If I can slot in there, it will be fantastic if all those things fall in place. Waiting for [the chat with] Bouchy towards the end of the IPL, and we will then plan accordingly."</I>




To conclude, he said that if all the things fall in right place, then only he will come from retirement. And based on bolded statement, AB didn't offered him first up. The discussion was started by Boucher.

 

[BaankeJi]

To be honest, I can't say that I care. I'm just glad that this 'will he, won't he?' question will finally be put to rest that he has been milking since before the 2019 World Cup. The only thing that surprises me is why Cricket South Africa engaged him for so long, especially after he abandoned them when they needed him most.

okay

This is what AB said some time ago regarding his discussion with Boucher.

<I>Last year, <B>he asked me if I would be interested. And I said, 'absolutely'.</B> And come the end of the IPL, we will have a look at where we are at with regards to my form and my fitness," de Villiers had said.

"Also, the situation with his team - he's got to look at his guys who have been performing well over the last while. If there's no space for me, so be it. If I can slot in there, it will be fantastic if all those things fall in place. Waiting for [the chat with] Bouchy towards the end of the IPL, and we will then plan accordingly."</I>




To conclude, he said that if all the things fall in right place, then only he will come from retirement. And based on bolded statement, AB didn't offered him first up. The discussion was started by Boucher.

Thanks for the info.

 

[OMB]

Mark Boucher reveals why de Villiers turned down South Africa return: AB has his reasons, which I respect

South African cricket coach Mark Boucher has revealed why former AB de Villiers refused to come out of retirement ahead of the T20 World Cup, saying he respects AB's decision and it was time to move on.

South Africa coach Mark Boucher opened on AB de Villiers' decision to turn down international comeback, calling the development unfortunate while adding that he respects AB's decision and it was time to move on.

AB de Villiers continues to leave the cricket fraternity awestruck with his ability to dominate world-class bowling line-ups despite not playing international cricket since 2018.

There were reports doing the rounds that de Villiers might make a comeback to international cricket for the showpiece event in India after head coach and former teammate Mark Boucher said he would "hold talks" with the superstar player.

But Cricket South Africa made it clear that de Villiers's retirement "will remain final". The 37-year-old had taken the entire world by surprise when he decided to step away from international cricket in May 2018.

"Discussions with AB de Villiers have concluded with the batsman deciding once and for all, that his retirement will remain final,” read a release from CSA.

"AB has his reasons, which I respect. Unfortunately, he’s no longer in the mix. I say unfortunately because I think we all agree that he’s still one of the best if not the best T20 players in world cricket," Boucher told The Citizen.

"But he alluded to being concerned about coming in ahead of other players who have been a part of the system. I don’t think it sat well with him, which I understand."

"As a coach I needed to try and get our best players, for the team and the environment. AB is an energy booster in any environment, but I respect his reasoning. It was worth a go, but now let’s move forward," Boucher pointed out.

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/mark-boucher-reveals-why-ab-de-villiers-refused-to-come-out-of-retirement-1804368-2021-05-19

 

[Rana]

Mark Boucher reveals why de Villiers turned down South Africa return: AB has his reasons, which I respect

South African cricket coach Mark Boucher has revealed why former AB de Villiers refused to come out of retirement ahead of the T20 World Cup, saying he respects AB's decision and it was time to move on.

South Africa coach Mark Boucher opened on AB de Villiers' decision to turn down international comeback, calling the development unfortunate while adding that he respects AB's decision and it was time to move on.

AB de Villiers continues to leave the cricket fraternity awestruck with his ability to dominate world-class bowling line-ups despite not playing international cricket since 2018.

There were reports doing the rounds that de Villiers might make a comeback to international cricket for the showpiece event in India after head coach and former teammate Mark Boucher said he would "hold talks" with the superstar player.

But Cricket South Africa made it clear that de Villiers's retirement "will remain final". The 37-year-old had taken the entire world by surprise when he decided to step away from international cricket in May 2018.

"Discussions with AB de Villiers have concluded with the batsman deciding once and for all, that his retirement will remain final,” read a release from CSA.

"AB has his reasons, which I respect. Unfortunately, he’s no longer in the mix. I say unfortunately because I think we all agree that he’s still one of the best if not the best T20 players in world cricket," Boucher told The Citizen.

"But he alluded to being concerned about coming in ahead of other players who have been a part of the system. I don’t think it sat well with him, which I understand."

"As a coach I needed to try and get our best players, for the team and the environment. AB is an energy booster in any environment, but I respect his reasoning. It was worth a go, but now let’s move forward," Boucher pointed out.

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/mark-boucher-reveals-why-ab-de-villiers-refused-to-come-out-of-retirement-1804368-2021-05-19

Not sure why this is a story, so it was SA who begged AB to return but now he is using the excuse of ‘I will be taking the spot of a deserving player’ theory.

Why are SA so desperate now? Stick to your guns and stop chasing this mercenary! This isn’t BCB for crying out loud!

 

[OMB]

Not sure why this is a story, so it was SA who begged AB to return but now he is using the excuse of ‘I will be taking the spot of a deserving player’ theory.

Why are SA so desperate now? Stick to your guns and stop chasing this mercenary! This isn’t BCB for crying out loud!

he is aged but still one of the best.
SA is simply trying to boost their chances for the T20 tournament.

 

[shaz619]

I don’t think this is over just yet, but I feel this takes away from SA’s prep heading into tournaments every time.

 

[Rana]

he is aged but still one of the best.
SA is simply trying to boost their chances for the T20 tournament.

They could have done that too in the 2019 World Cup if they allowed the mercenary to have his way. Not sure what and who has changed to make the approach different this time? The T20wc isn’t even 1/10th of the importance that the 50 over World Cup holds. SA are just further falling from Grace now after chasing after this man who abandoned his side on the eve of a World Cup only to be dancing in commercials for RCB, a pointless franchise side with a pointless goal of winning a trophy at no loss!

 

[Titan24]

Irrespective of who had the final say, ABD coming out retirement and coming straight to the SA playing XI for one tournament or max maybe an year or so would have been pretty much pointless. Yes he would have made the SA team stronger but, could he have been the difference between SA winning the trophy or not winning one? I dont think so and his past presence in ICC tournaments for SA doesn’t prove otherwise as well.

ABD without a doubt was one of the most gifted batsmen in cricket and a great of modern era but, bringing him in at 37 for a tournament or so would have been a step backwards. Team management is a fine balance of putting your best XI on the ground and at the same time building a side.

It would have been a much important and relevant conversation 3-4 years ago when ABD took retirement as he still had some good years left in him but, bringing him at this time might have made SA look stronger but would have lost that balance required for good team management in my opinion. Yes its the year of World T20 but there is another one coming next followed by 50 overs WC. SA needs to put its focus on forming a good side rather than on a 37 year old player who might no even be available after World T20 2021 itself.

 

[King_Kohli]

South African cricketer Khaya Zondo explains why he lost respect for AB De Villiers

In an extremely shocking revelation, Khaya Zondo explains why he lost respect for his childhood hero and star Proteas batsman, AB De VIlliers.

AB De Villiers is undoubtedly one of the best and most accomplished cricketers of South Africa. The Proteas legend time and again shattered records with his blazing blade and still continues to leave his dominating stamp in T20 franchise cricket, across the globe. Not just on the field, outside the field too, AB De Villiers is an absolute showstopper and has a humongous fan-following.

But in this highly surprising case, former South African batsman Khaya Zondo has revealed that he had lost all respect for AB De Villiers after the former captain prevented him from featuring in an ODI in 2015.

In the Social Justice and Nation Building hearings, Khaya Zondo revealed that AB De Villiers orchestrated his exclusion from the final One Day game against India and it sent shockwaves down his spine. The batter revealed that it was AB De Villiers who took him to a side and broke the disheartening news to him.

“The captain (de Villiers) called me over to the side, away from the rest of the team and mentioned to me he was the one who felt I should not play. He was trying to explain himself and he was taking full responsibility for the decision,” said Zondo while reading out his submission to the Transformation Ombudsman, Adv. Dumisa Ntsebeza.

“I remember in the moment of him explaining himself to me, losing all respect for him as a captain, and as someone I looked up to as a cricketing hero of mine because I could not believe this guy was trying to justify himself to me, and it came across as if I should accept this decision because the decision came from him.”

“I switched off mentally for the rest of the day and I detached myself from the team because it was clear I was not wanted. Switching off helped me cope with everything that was happening. The hardest part was watching the players who were selected ahead of me playing and having the opportunity to shine for South Africa on a world stage, in India and having a chance to play and potentially impress and get future IPL opportunities.” he said further.

The right-handed Khaya Zondo has represented South Africa in 5 ODI games and has amassed 142 runs. He has had a modest average of 35.5 and a below-par S/R of 63.4. He also has notched up one fifty.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/south-african-cricketer-khaya-zondo-explains-why-he-lost-respect-for-ab-de-villiers/796226