AB de Villiers should man up and play against England in the away Test series!

[Slog]

He is fit and seems to be stroking the ball well

He must realise that 10 years down the line no one will remember his IPL, T20 and JAMODI exploits and the only thing which will build his legacy of being something other than an ICC world event choker is legendary exploits at Test level.

Kallis, Donald, Smith, Pollock, Steyn etc also have a history of epic chokes at world events but their legacy isn't defined just by that due to their immense success at Test level.

AB should understand that and play test cricket as it is the most superior form of cricket

 

[Ozymandiasza]

I agree. Especially now that Faf is probably going to miss the first test. He can even captain if he wants.

I have a bad feeling about this test series. We've been lucky a few times and it might just run out.

 

[ahsan_888]

Ab is the person who can write history for the proteas and can leave a legacy behind , he has got the perfect attitude towards the game and his skill is lit , it just he needs time and needs to beleive and thats why he neess to play and play alot to make a team that he invincible , he has the best guys at his disposal heores at his disposal just needs them to believe

 

[Protea Fan]

His decision to skip this series is baffling

It seems amla is on regression and without steyn he is the main man SA want against this top opponent

I am almost sure that still a lot cricket left in him because he's still striking the ball very well to the perfection but this decision is pretty weird and his heritage will be harmed

 

[Hasan123]

It's clear he rates the IPL above test cricket. It's also clear he wants to retire from test cricket but he is delaying it for some reason.

I don't have a problem with him retiring from tests but he should come out and say it. Right now he is choosing not to play for his country, out of ABs own mouth he hasn't retired yet from tests.

So South Africa should either select him and force his retirement or AB should come out and retire.

The series would be better if he was playing.

 

[czar]

I think AB would just give his best towards a World Cup Win and seal his legacy.

Playing Test Cricket with a bunch of quota players and related controversies is too big an ask for him Now.

 

[majiz]

err, does a lot of this does not have to do with the quota system? im not sure he seems room for himself in the middle order with bavuma and duminy there

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Ab is the person who can write history for the proteas and can leave a legacy behind , he has got the perfect attitude towards the game and his skill is lit , it just he needs time and needs to beleive and thats why he neess to play and play alot to make a team that he invincible , he has the best guys at his disposal heores at his disposal just needs them to believe

He has been playing International cricket for over 13 years now, how much more time does he need? After a decade of playing, a player knows his game inside out.

 

[Savak]

ABD is one confused guy, looks like he is depressed or something being forced to carry on doing things he doesn't love anymore. He just hasn't really looked the same after the 2015 WC SF.

 

[Billy1999]

Ill never will respect AB

His excuses are terrible

I want to play limited overs cricket

Why then do u pick and choose which ODI games you are going to play when u want to play as much Odi cricket as possible but then u suck up and play The entire IPL this year he even played not entirely fit,U don't pick and choose which IPL games your going to play you 2 faced ..... ,I hate your guts

Don't play test cricket,I hope you never get remembered amongst the greats

One more thing,Ultimate Choke awaits you in 2019 World Cup for you especially

 

[The_Odd_One]

It's clear he rates the IPL above test cricket. It's also clear he wants to retire from test cricket but he is delaying it for some reason.

I don't have a problem with him retiring from tests but he should come out and say it. Right now he is choosing not to play for his country, out of ABs own mouth he hasn't retired yet from tests.

So South Africa should either select him and force his retirement or AB should come out and retire.

The series would be better if he was playing.

Completely agree. He should either play test cricket or retire from it.

 

[Buffet]

Useless player...

 

[majiz]

would like someone to explain me how de villiers fits into the side if duminy and bavuma have to play, i guess you could shuffle things around with the openers or something but i suspect divillers just cant be bothered with the fuss of it all, even if he hasn't come out and said this publicly. i dont see any other reason why he wouldnt want to play test cricket

 

[Slog]

[MENTION=132982]soso_killer[/MENTION] thoughts?
Haven't seen him around for a while

 

[Last Monetarist]

I don't think him playing this series would make a big difference to the outcome. It's also his prerogative to choose whether he wants to play test cricket.

However, what is not on is all the "will he, won't he?" mess that he has created all on his own over the past 18 months about not being able to make up his mind on continuing.

If anything, his behaviour since he threw a strop over the test match captaincy has cemented his reputation as a selfish moaner who can't front up to pressure. As a consequence, he'll be a mere footnote to South Africa's test cricket history since readmission.

 

[Coconut]

Nope, AB should stick to his decision. Test cricket is certainly not the best form of cricket and AB has nothing to prove in this format either. He has achieved a lot in tests and rightfully decided to retire from this form of cricket to prolong his career.

20 years form now, nobody will remember his heroics in test cricket because there will be no test cricket after 15/20 years. This one dimensional form of cricket has already lost its appeal to masses and it will get worse from here on.

 

[majiz]

20 years form now, nobody will remember his heroics in test cricket because there will be no test cricket after 15/20 years. This one dimensional form of cricket has already lost its appeal to masses and it will get worse from here on.

'no'. just because you can't appreciate it. limited overs cricket is terrible in comparison, test cricket is here to stay, sorry

 

[Arham_PakFan]

If he wants to retire from tests he should come out and say it.
He says wants to play tests but skips the most important away series of the year for SA,even though he is fit.
This game of hide and seek isn't benefitting anyone.

 

[TahirFan]

AB is becoming a destabilising factor in the Protea side. We all know that the only cricket this guy is interested in these days is IPL

 

[TahirFan]

Cricket South Africa have given AB a break and will meet with him sometime in August to discuss his future.

 

[wasimjunior]

AB is becoming a destabilising factor in the Protea side. We all know that the only cricket this guy is interested in these days is IPL

He's a disgraceful sellout.

Half the leader Faf is

 

[Arham_PakFan]

He's a disgraceful sellout.

Half the leader Faf is

Yes,Faf should be captain in all three formats.Should have been made captain a year ago or even earlier.

 

[Sachin136]

He's a disgraceful sellout.

Half the leader Faf is

How is he a sellout? It is up to him what format he wants to play. Why does everyone have to play all the formats they're good at? If he doesn't like tests, then it his his choice to not play them.

 

[kingusama92]

Can't blame him.

ENG is bound to smash SA at home this summer.

 

[Bilal7]

Great player but won't get to that one level higher if he keeps this up.

 

[MoAamer]

Don't worry ABD will only play the World Cup. And he will win it.

 

[angrypathan]

Coward cricketer

 

[coy0607]

other than a small group of fans, no one cares about legacies once a player retires

on the other hand, the money from T20 leagues will serve ABD and his family for decades .. easy choice here

 

[wasimjunior]

How is he a sellout? It is up to him what format he wants to play. Why does everyone have to play all the formats they're good at? If he doesn't like tests, then it his his choice to not play them.

If youre asking the above then I dont think you'll understand..

Fact is if you're talented enough and fit enough and good enough to play for your country then you do that- doesnt matter the format or where you bat.
Clearly its not a priority to him.

Anyone who has followed his career will have noticed that in the last 2/3 years he has taken less and less interest in South Africa games, and he seems obsessed with IPL- even to the point where he was missing limited overs games upon his return from injury as a precaution for the IPL.

I dont want to make this an IPL bashing thread as I'm a huge fan myself of the league but its evident that AB doesn't care about South Africa any more, and he is probably sticking it out in the shorter formats to maintain his own brand.

 

[wasimjunior]

other than a small group of fans, no one cares about legacies once a player retires

on the other hand, the money from T20 leagues will serve ABD and his family for decades .. easy choice here

This issue has never been mutually exclusive so your argument is redundant, if not made up.

 

[shaz619]

He doesn't care about Test cricket and is weak mentally.

 

[coy0607]

This issue has never been mutually exclusive so your argument is redundant, if not made up.

It clearly is mutually exclusive

Cricket is a lot of work and significantly stresses the body. your body can only play so much cricket, you need to make a choice of where you want to spend the mileage

Also- a lot of T20 leagues occur at the same time as test cricket. You can only play 1. They are very much related

Do you understand the definition of mutually exclusive?

 

[Aman]

ABD is one confused guy, looks like he is depressed or something being forced to carry on doing things he doesn't love anymore. He just hasn't really looked the same after the 2015 WC SF.

We broke him

 

[wasimjunior]

It clearly is mutually exclusive

Cricket is a lot of work and significantly stresses the body. your body can only play so much cricket, you need to make a choice of where you want to spend the mileage

Also- a lot of T20 leagues occur at the same time as test cricket. You can only play 1. They are very much related

Do you understand the definition of mutually exclusive?

This thread is about the England series. Can you tell me which t20 series clashes with the test match next week or shall I point you towards comprehension lessons

 

[ipl_fan]

His career, His wish.

Who are we to force his career choices. He will perish if he choses the wrong path and will flourish if otherwise. If he choses IPL, let it be. Cricketers have a very short shelf life and they have to make money to support their family.

The moral high ground people take when they have nothing to lose is the most comical thing on forums. Will you pass on a chance which gives you truck loads of money ??

 

[Titan24]

Career destroying moments:

ABD: losing to NZ in 2015 WC SF (forced to play Philander over Abbot), quota system hurted him

Ahmed Shehzad: being hit by the NZ allrounder corey anderson bouncer.
Though he is still young might get over it

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

Wants to focus on the WC, but playing this guessing game of will he play the next series or not is a joke. He should come out and be open about his future.

I would respect him if he simply came out and said "I retire from tests, I want to focus all my energies on the world cup". Instead he has made a farce of the situation. And unfortunately it's not going to be a happy ending because the way SA's ODI team is shaping up, I doubt they will be in a position to win the WC.

 

[Amjid Javed]

He wants to cement his his legacy in ODIS when he scores big hundreds against W.I, Bangladesh during 2019 world cup and then will choke with bat when S.A eventually crash out, this is his only importance in his career now and a big fat IPL pay check.

 

[Nothing matters]

He's as gutless as he's talented.Used to be my favorite batsman two years back now he's the guy i can't stand i still love his batting in non pressure situations but have no respect left for him as a player.He could have been one of GOAT. Haven't seen a player of his stature who's more keen on leaving international cricket just for some quick buck (which i am sure he still would have made) instead of securing his legacy.

 

[CricketAnalyst]

'no'. just because you can't appreciate it. limited overs cricket is terrible in comparison, test cricket is here to stay, sorry

You will be the only one sorry, because third-rate people like the kind who are insulting AB here because he prefers limited overs, are in a minority. AB is loved by millions. 'Die-hard' fans can keep showing off their lack of class and dirty character by insulting a great, but they are in minority.

 

[shaz619]

He wants to cement his his legacy in ODIS when he scores big hundreds against W.I, Bangladesh during 2019 world cup and then will choke with bat when S.A eventually crash out, this is his only importance in his career now and a big fat IPL pay check.

He has achieved many great feats at the Test level, scoring 8K runs is no joke. He is obsessed with winning an ICC Trophy for SA due to their tag and I don't blame him tbh SA have always been a great Test side generally and he played his part when they dominated the rankings after the Aussie fall from grace. He has won Test series all around the world but now it is time for him to give his full attention to the limited forms, sure a lack of mental desire has also played a role in his goals but we can't really overly criticise the guy.

 

[Slog]

SA may win series without him

 

[Junaids]

Absolute nonsense.

South Africa won the Second Test by going over the Maximum Allowed Whites Quota.

AB does not need to man up to play. He'd have to change race to get selected.

 

[Pete Rose]

I dont think he should play at all. He plays poorly under pressure and captains even worse.
leave it to faf.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Absolute nonsense.

South Africa won the Second Test by going over the Maximum Allowed Whites Quota.

AB does not need to man up to play. He'd have to change race to get selected.

So, what you're implying is that the South African management is willing to go against their quota system in times of need?

 

[HitWicket]

So, what you're implying is that the South African management is willing to go against their quota system in times of need?

The quota system is only an average and not s fixed limit per test.

 

[ExpressPacer]

The quota system is only an average and not s fixed limit per test.

I realize that but why was Philander played instead of Abbott in the WC '15 Semi-Final if it is only an average?

 

[Proactive_]

AB De Villiers should man up and openly talk about his country's regressive quota policies. That's what is the need of the hour.

 

[Junaids]

The quota system is only an average and not s fixed limit per test.

Correct but 2 whites replaced 1 black and 1 coloured player and suddenly defeat turned into victory.

But they play so few Tests that they can't afford to pick a full strength team in both the remaining Tests, or the quota average won't be reached.

Make no mistake: AB is out of the team because they aren't allowed to pick:

2 white openers
FAF
De Kock
Morris
Morkel

Plus AB De Villiers.

AB was given a simple explanation: we will pick whichever of you or FAF is skipper. We can't fit you both inside the white quota.

 

[Junaids]

I realize that but why was Philander played instead of Abbott in the WC '15 Semi-Final if it is only an average?

The higher profile the match, the less flexible the quota becomes.

Make no mistake: Abbott is gone now because the government insisted that Philander on one leg replace him. He was given a clear message that he only gets a career if other whites don't play - he cannot be selected on cricketing merit.

 

[HitWicket]

Correct but 2 whites replaced 1 black and 1 coloured player and suddenly defeat turned into victory.

But they play so few Tests that they can't afford to pick a full strength team in both the remaining Tests, or the quota average won't be reached.

Make no mistake: AB is out of the team because they aren't allowed to pick:

2 white openers
FAF
De Kock
Morris
Morkel

Plus AB De Villiers.

AB was given a simple explanation: we will pick whichever of you or FAF is skipper. We can't fit you both inside the white quota.

So you're suggesting that Rabada in for Olivier, the probable only change for the next test, weakens the team?

 

[ExpressPacer]

The higher profile the match, the less flexible the quota becomes.

Make no mistake: Abbott is gone now because the government insisted that Philander on one leg replace him. He was given a clear message that he only gets a career if other whites don't play - he cannot be selected on cricketing merit.

Cricket South Africa seems to be in a really big mess. Even the Zimbo's have a much more lenient quota system. What's heartbreaking is the fact that more and more talented white youngsters are giving up the sport in domestic cricket because of their new policies.

Markram needs to make his debut soon but I don't think it'll happen.

 

[Junaids]

So you're suggesting that Rabada in for Olivier, the probable only change for the next test, weakens the team?

No, I'm saying that team still has one white over the quota because FAF replaced Duminy.

There may well be a directive to drop an additional white player for the Fourth Test.

 

[Slog]

Correct but 2 whites replaced 1 black and 1 coloured player and suddenly defeat turned into victory.

But they play so few Tests that they can't afford to pick a full strength team in both the remaining Tests, or the quota average won't be reached.

Make no mistake: AB is out of the team because they aren't allowed to pick:

2 white openers
FAF
De Kock
Morris
Morkel

Plus AB De Villiers.

AB was given a simple explanation: we will pick whichever of you or FAF is skipper. We can't fit you both inside the white quota.

Lmao this is ridiculous

Stop making things up.

AB is being a wuss and loves IPL which is why he is not playing. I'm very critical of the quota system but the reason AB is sitting out this test series is because of his own decision, not the quota system.

In any case they could drop Kuhn and bring in AB, and quotas would still be met. But AB doesnt want to play himself

 

[Junaids]

Lmao this is ridiculous

Stop making things up.

AB is being a wuss and loves IPL which is why he is not playing. I'm very critical of the quota system but the reason AB is sitting out this test series is because of his own decision, not the quota system.

In any case they could drop Kuhn and bring in AB, and quotas would still be met. But AB doesnt want to play himself

Have you read Mickey Arthur's book, in which he outlined the tantrums he faced from the Cricket South Africa CEO for picking one white player over the quota? In which he explains how Charl Langeveldt's position in the team became untenable when it became clear how racial quota politics was defeating merit.

Alviro Petersen was carried around as second opener for years to try to enable the best white players to be selected. He wasn't the second best opener, but he was good enough to allow the best whites to all be picked.

Now we find ourselves in a situation in which there is no selectable non-white opener, so two of the five white places in the quota are gone from the outset.

So if AB were to be selected, either FAF or De Kock or Morkel (who is currently in Steyn's position) has to be dropped.

And even now, picking Morris over the limits of the quota for a second successive match is a ticking political time bomb.

But the bottom line is that on cricketing merit, only Rabada, Amla and Philander as non-white players should be in the starting eleven, with 8 white players.

So South Africa is playing an under-strength team all the time to allow political window dressing to trump cricketing merit.

 

[mak36]

Lmao this is ridiculous

Stop making things up.

AB is being a wuss and loves IPL which is why he is not playing. I'm very critical of the quota system but the reason AB is sitting out this test series is because of his own decision, not the quota system.

In any case they could drop Kuhn and bring in AB, and quotas would still be met. But AB doesnt want to play himself

Have you read Mickey Arthur's book, in which he outlined the tantrums he faced from the Cricket South Africa CEO for picking one white player over the quota? In which he explains how Charl Langeveldt's position in the team became untenable when it became clear how racial quota politics was defeating merit.

Alviro Petersen was carried around as second opener for years to try to enable the best white players to be selected. He wasn't the second best opener, but he was good enough to allow the best whites to all be picked.

Now we find ourselves in a situation in which there is no selectable non-white opener, so two of the five white places in the quota are gone from the outset.

So if AB were to be selected, either FAF or De Kock or Morkel (who is currently in Steyn's position) has to be dropped.

And even now, picking Morris over the limits of the quota for a second successive match is a ticking political time bomb.

But the bottom line is that on cricketing merit, only Rabada, Amla and Philander as non-white players should be in the starting eleven, with 8 white players.

So South Africa is playing an under-strength team all the time to allow political window dressing to trump cricketing merit.

Despite providing a verbose response, you have failed to address the point made by Slog.

It's all very well criticising the quota system, but you have completely overlooked the fact that AB is choosing not to play tests. Whether it is a temporary or permanent break from tests remains to be seen, but the fact remains it was his own choice to take a sabbatical.

 

[MMHS]

Have you read Mickey Arthur's book, in which he outlined the tantrums he faced from the Cricket South Africa CEO for picking one white player over the quota? In which he explains how Charl Langeveldt's position in the team became untenable when it became clear how racial quota politics was defeating merit.

Alviro Petersen was carried around as second opener for years to try to enable the best white players to be selected. He wasn't the second best opener, but he was good enough to allow the best whites to all be picked.

Now we find ourselves in a situation in which there is no selectable non-white opener, so two of the five white places in the quota are gone from the outset.

So if AB were to be selected, either FAF or De Kock or Morkel (who is currently in Steyn's position) has to be dropped.

And even now, picking Morris over the limits of the quota for a second successive match is a ticking political time bomb.

But the bottom line is that on cricketing merit, only Rabada, Amla and Philander as non-white players should be in the starting eleven, with 8 white players.

So South Africa is playing an under-strength team all the time to allow political window dressing to trump cricketing merit.

Leaving apart the racial quota, which has a bitter long history (and more important issues that we have discussed earlier), only for his "personal priority", AB should never be called back to SAF team.

As usual, you are putting the story that fits your bill. 2 openers are not fixed that one of AB or FaF has to be dropped to accommodate 2 "capable" white openers and the likes of Kuhn or Cook has to be given a free ride. AB is an absolute shame for his team - otherwise, Amla can easily open with Elgar (he has opened several times before, still opens in LOs), keeping both spots free for AB & FaF, if he had been there. You are saying - one of AB or FaF had to be dropped because there is no acceptable non white opener available & it has to be only Kuhn or Cook, who can partner Elger.

And, that logic of SAF winning because of breaking quota cap is beyond discussion - do you honestly believe that had that guy (forgot name of the pacer) been replaced by Rabada, SAF won't have won that game?

 

[Junaids]

Lmao this is ridiculous

Stop making things up.

AB is being a wuss and loves IPL which is why he is not playing. I'm very critical of the quota system but the reason AB is sitting out this test series is because of his own decision, not the quota system.

In any case they could drop Kuhn and bring in AB, and quotas would still be met. But AB doesnt want to play himself

Leaving apart the racial quota, which has a bitter long history (and more important issues that we have discussed earlier), only for his "personal priority", AB should never be called back to SAF team.

As usual, you are putting the story that fits your bill. 2 openers are not fixed that one of AB or FaF has to be dropped to accommodate 2 "capable" white openers and the likes of Kuhn or Cook has to be given a free ride. AB is an absolute shame for his team - otherwise, Amla can easily open with Elgar (he has opened several times before, still opens in LOs), keeping both spots free for AB & FaF, if he had been there. You are saying - one of AB or FaF had to be dropped because there is no acceptable non white opener available & it has to be only Kuhn or Cook, who can partner Elger.

And, that logic of SAF winning because of breaking quota cap is beyond discussion - do you honestly believe that had that guy (forgot name of the pacer) been replaced by Rabada, SAF won't have won that game?

They broke the quota by TWO: Olivier and Morris replaced Rabada and Duminy, while FAF replaced De Bruyn.

Rabada gets in the team on merit. But Morris isn't supposed to be selected, because there isn't a place within the white quota for him.

They are supposed to pick either an inferior non-white bowler - like with Maharaj playing while Harmer is in exile - or to pick Morris they have to replace a white batsman with an inferior non-white one.

 

[mak36]

They broke the quota by TWO: Olivier and Morris replaced Rabada and Duminy, while FAF replaced De Bruyn.

Rabada gets in the team on merit. But Morris isn't supposed to be selected, because there isn't a place within the white quota for him.

They are supposed to pick either an inferior non-white bowler - like with Maharaj playing while Harmer is in exile - or to pick Morris they have to replace a white batsman with an inferior non-white one.

You aren't seriously suggesting Harmer is a better spinner than Maharaj?

 

[Slog]

Mental midget

 

[Robert]

Could be a mental health issue, as affected Tres and Trott. In which case he has to do what makes him well. If he quits tests but can carry on in LO and do a job for SA, good on him.

 

[Suleiman]

Recall a post saying last year that he will or has equalled Viv.

That is clearly never going to happen, in any format. One had nerves of steel, the other plastic.

 

[ExplicitAI]

Lol I swear he's been chilling for a year now? To me it looks like he's had enough rest and should be playing for his country, no one will remember him for his IPL heroics.

 

[Slog]

Thankfully he finally realized and returned to the format
Match winning performance in first innings

 

[Sam99]

Ab can be exploited on england pitches that's why he skips these tours.

 

[Protea Fan]

Ab can be exploited on england pitches that's why he skips these tours.

He averaged almost 55 their

Though broad is one of the bowler he always gets troubled

 

[Ab Fan]

I think in the end it was a good decision to take a break from test cricket, reduce the workload and prolong his career for a little longer. Now that he looks fresh, he can contribute to the team more domimantly rather than 2 years back when heavy workloads were getting the better of him due to the back issues and also that he wasn't under 30 at that time to be fresh for all sorts of responsibility.

 

[TeymurBlake]

I see hunger in Test cricket from AB. I do see him performing against the Indians

 

[jnaveen1980]

Most of the saffifes take part in IPL. Are you sure he is skipping a test series?

 

[Hasan123]

Good to see him back in test cricket. Test cricket needs entertainers like him. But honestly wouldn't be surprised if he retires after the Australia series.

I think he wants to reduce his workload and wants to play at the 2019 WC. So he won't retire from LO cricket and he isn't going to stop playing T20 leagues. So retiring from tests is his only way to reduce his workload. I think he chose to play in thie series so he can retire on a high by scoring against top quality sides.