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[REPORT] AB de Villiers set to decide future in August

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CARDIFF: South Africa’s limited overs captain AB de Villiers has left the ongoing tour of England saying he would decide his cricket future in August.

One of the outstanding batsmen of his generation, the 33-year-old headed home after captaining the Proteas in a 19-run defeat by England in Cardiff on Sunday that saw them beaten 2-1 in a three-match T20I series.

They previously lost a one-day international series to England by the same scoreline and then suffered a hugely disappointing first-round exit at the Champions Trophy.
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But a Test series against England is the centrepiece of a four-month tour.

However, it has long been planned that De Villiers would miss the four-Test campaign to take a break from the strain of being one of the world’s leading players in all three international formats, as well as a man in demand at lucrative Twenty20 franchise events around the world.

Bangladesh are due to tour South Africa in September and the 33-year-old said he expected to know by then what his international workload would entail.

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“I am going to meet with CSA [Cricket South Africa] in August, and that will decide my [international] future,” said De Villiers. “We will see what works for both parties. We are not going to pick and choose games, but we are going to make a final decision about what happens for the next few years.”

Asked what he would do for the next couple of months, de Villiers said: “I am going to spend a bit of time off at home with the family, I’m going to welcome my new youngster into the world, and obviously look to stay fit. “I want to make sure I am ready for September, when Bangladesh come.”

For all his success at Test level, De Villiers’s burning ambition is to help South Africa win a maiden World Cup title.

Their attempts since a 1992 debut — after years of isolation due to apartheid — have been dogged by bad luck and reverses snatched from the jaws of all-but-certain victory, leaving South Africa with the unwanted tag of “chokers”.

The next World Cup takes place in England in two years’ time and De Villiers, who was the captain back in during heartbreaking 2015 semi-final loss to co-hosts New Zealand in Auckland, said: “It’s my main dream to win a World Cup for South Africa, or to be part of it in one way or another”

But de Villiers, whose stunning 31-ball century against the West Indies at Johannesburg in 2015 remains the fastest ODI hundred, added: “I don’t even think it’s in my hands, what is going to happen. I will wait until the final decision on the coach and things like that are made. Then I can also have a chat to CSA, to see where I am going to fit in.”

As well as De Villiers, South Africa could be without another senior batsman in Faf du Plesiss for the first Test at Lord’s, which starts on July 6.

Du Plessis, the Proteas’ Test skipper, is awaiting the birth of his first child, who is expected in the first week of July.

De Villiers, asked if he had thought about staying on to lead the Test side if Du Plessis — who missed the T20I series in anticipation — was still absent, replied: “No, not at all. I am batting really well at the moment, and really enjoying that. I love scoring runs, and that is all I am going to miss over the next two months.”




https://tribune.com.pk/story/1445142/de-villiers-set-decide-future-august/

Only 33.

Throwing away his legacy?
 
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His heart is clearly not in it. Best to retire and focus where he wants to succeed.
 
Yes. I think that he will retire from test cricket.

He will also retire as captain.

He will continue playing ODI an T20's until 2019 WC
 
Cowardly cricketer.

Can't believe ppl call him an ATG. Insult to guys like Viv and Sharma.
 
Lol I suggest he should step down as captain and continue to play all 3 formats but it's understandable that he's hurt from not winning any trophies but that's not an excuse to act like a softie.
 
Nothing wrong in retiring from test cricket. One must consider that Devilliers has nothing left to prove in test arena:

1. SA has achieve #1 ranking in his playing days.
2. SA has won a series in Australia.
3. AB is already a veteran of 100+ tests.
4. AB is a 50+ averaging batsman and is extremely unlikely to surpass test ATGs like Kallis, Ponting, Lara, Tendulkar, etc.

The only thing that SA has not achieved yet is to win a WC and I think this is what he really cares about now. His test career is done, he is not going to achieve anything else there but SA has a good shot at winning a World Cup if AB and other SA players step up for once in 2019.
 
He is a test great. He has done it all.

No he isn't unfortunately for him.

He maybe a one day great but he is def underachieved in the 5 day game given his talent and abilities.

If he does quit the Test game or international cricket altogether I will be highly disappointed.

It's too easy just to play these 20/20 nonsense leagues around the world but no one will remember you for them.

If he doesn't care about his legacy and money is a big factor then it will be an easy decision for him. But I hope he doesn't go for the easy way out.
 
No he isn't unfortunately for him.

He maybe a one day great but he is def underachieved in the 5 day game given his talent and abilities.

If he does quit the Test game or international cricket altogether I will be highly disappointed.

It's too easy just to play these 20/20 nonsense leagues around the world but no one will remember you for them.

If he doesn't care about his legacy and money is a big factor then it will be an easy decision for him. But I hope he doesn't go for the easy way out.

In tests which are only bilateral in context, he is a great. Loads of runs, 50+ average, played in series win in Aus, key man in long standing #1 team.
 
I hope this time he'll take the right decision and completely retire from test cricket. He has achieved everything in tests and easily could've surpassed 10k runs. But not every players run after these meaningless numbers. Some of them doesn't play for numbers, they play because they love the sport.

It will be great if ABDV decides to retire from overrated test format in order to concentrate on odis and IPL.
 
Have lost all respect for this guy last couple of years. Thought he would come to his sense and snap out of it but clearly not. Only 33 I guess he had no issues playing when the going was good tho but when the team needs him most ditches them in no time. Not to mention all the drama he has created with the captaincy as well. Absolutely pathetic.
 
His decision and I can respect it. It's not like he's playing every other T20 league either. Having a month-long vacation in India and getting paid to show up in the field for two hours every few days is a great way to earn millions of dollars. Any 33 year old cricketer would at least consider retiring from tests to take on this venture.

Like some others have said, he's achieved everything he can in the test format. He was part of one of the greatest test teams of all time; won several series in England and Australia; had success in the subcontinent; has played some memorable knocks; and will retire as a great test cricketer.

The South Africans don't desperately need him either. Bavuma is coming into his own and AB can't solve their opening problems. The team also has experience in the form of the Mighty # and Faf du Plessis. They recently won series against New Zealand and in Australia without AB. I'd say this is the perfect time for AB to bid farewell and focus all his energies on the 2019 WC.
 
Overrated slogger who has been outachieved by Fakhar in 4 ODIS.

:)))

I highly doubt a 'slogger' would be able to stand up to a crazed Johnson. Remember that purple patch of Johnson? In fact Johnson said AB was his toughest opponent. Source: Link

To all those insisting AB isn't a test great, I doubt you were following SA tests. I remember years worth of brilliant, match saving, match winning performances from him. He even saved us from complete embarassment when that scary version of Johnson came to visit South Africa:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/648673.html

People can insult him all they want but he was the only batsman to stand up to Johnson that match. That alone proves much more than any '4 ODIs' do.

He served us well, I wish him all the best. Would be great if he decided to play more tests.
 
He's not a Test great :))

For SA's sake, I hope he retires from international cricket. SA are better off without gutless cricketers like AB.
 
He's not a Test great :))

For SA's sake, I hope he retires from international cricket. SA are better off without gutless cricketers like AB.

Why isn't he a test great?

Would you rate Kohli a test great?
 
Why isn't he a test great?

Would you rate Kohli a test great?
I don't consider Kohli a Test great yet.

AB's a SA great but he hasn't done enough to be considered an ATG, he never seemed to be THE GUY or the number 2 in the SA batting line up for a meaningful period of time.
 
I don't consider Kohli a Test great yet.

AB's a SA great but he hasn't done enough to be considered an ATG, he never seemed to be THE GUY or the number 2 in the SA batting line up for a meaningful period of time.

In my opinion, with a team filled with 'THE GUY's it wouldn't matter. He was one of them.
 
Why isn't he a test great?

Would you rate Kohli a test great?

I'd say he is an excellent Test player but not a great. I followed him since his debut, and for me he hasn't been as pivotal to the success of South Africa in Test cricket as the likes of Kallis, Steyn, Smith and Amla have been. Those four players have been the key to South Africa's dominance from 2008-2014.

In terms of statistics, 21 hundreds in 176 innings isn't phenomenal for someone who has played most of his innings in the middle-order from a top class batting unit and a top class team overall. The best batsmen of his era as well as the younger ones like Kohli (he isn't a Test great yet), Smith, Williamson and Root, Pujara etc. have been prolific scorers as well.

He has had a cushioned Test career and did not have to share as much responsibility as some of these other players. When it comes to batsmen of his era, i.e. those whose made their debuts post 2000 or played a lot of cricket, I would put him below Sangakkara, Kallis, Amla, Clarke, Graeme Smith, Cook, Pietersen and Younis, and some of the younger generation batsmen are well on their way of surpassing him as well.

However, he had the opportunity of cementing his legacy as a Test legend in a post Smith and Kallis era with Amla and Steyn on their last legs as well. He could have been the talisman for players like de Kock, Bavuma, Elgar, Rabada, Maharaj etc. over the next 3-4 years. It's a shame that he has no passion left for red ball cricket anymore.
 
He's entitled to decide for himself what he wants to do with his career.

However I've lost respect for the way he's strung South Africa and his teammates along in the last few years and creating uncertainty about his future. Just get on it and make a swift, clear decision.
 
:)))

I highly doubt a 'slogger' would be able to stand up to a crazed Johnson. Remember that purple patch of Johnson? In fact Johnson said AB was his toughest opponent. Source: Link

To all those insisting AB isn't a test great, I doubt you were following SA tests. I remember years worth of brilliant, match saving, match winning performances from him. He even saved us from complete embarassment when that scary version of Johnson came to visit South Africa:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/648673.html

People can insult him all they want but he was the only batsman to stand up to Johnson that match. That alone proves much more than any '4 ODIs' do.

He served us well, I wish him all the best. Would be great if he decided to play more tests.

He is definitely a Saffer great. 50+ ave, wins all over where he was a key man. Plenty of runs all over. One of the top players of his test era.
 
Bottom of the list.

A matter of opinion. Going by ratings and rankings his career best rating of 935 points is the 11th best overall in the history of Test cricket. Equal with the likes of Kallis. AB is hardly bottom of the list in that regard. You're welcome to your opinion though.
 
I'd say he is an excellent Test player but not a great. I followed him since his debut, and for me he hasn't been as pivotal to the success of South Africa in Test cricket as the likes of Kallis, Steyn, Smith and Amla have been. Those four players have been the key to South Africa's dominance from 2008-2014.

In terms of statistics, 21 hundreds in 176 innings isn't phenomenal for someone who has played most of his innings in the middle-order from a top class batting unit and a top class team overall. The best batsmen of his era as well as the younger ones like Kohli (he isn't a Test great yet), Smith, Williamson and Root, Pujara etc. have been prolific scorers as well.

He has had a cushioned Test career and did not have to share as much responsibility as some of these other players. When it comes to batsmen of his era, i.e. those whose made their debuts post 2000 or played a lot of cricket, I would put him below Sangakkara, Kallis, Amla, Clarke, Graeme Smith, Cook, Pietersen and Younis, and some of the younger generation batsmen are well on their way of surpassing him as well.

However, he had the opportunity of cementing his legacy as a Test legend in a post Smith and Kallis era with Amla and Steyn on their last legs as well. He could have been the talisman for players like de Kock, Bavuma, Elgar, Rabada, Maharaj etc. over the next 3-4 years. It's a shame that he has no passion left for red ball cricket anymore.

Why would you say he hasn't been as pivotal? I'd say he's been just as handy as those 4. In fact, having all 5 of them was the key to our lenghty success in test cricket. He also helped out with wicket keeping in 23 tests, breaking another record by becoming the first wicketkeeper to score a century and claim 10 dismissals in a test. He's had an ATG test career in my opinion.

I honestly think he's annoyed with CSA for giving away his test captaincy (permanently) as soon as he got injured. He was also overlooked when they appointed Amla ahead of him. A role AB was groomed for since Smith's days.

Like I said, it's all a matter of opinion and I haven't heard anything to change mine.
 
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hes saffer great in Tests but not an ATG. Was shielded by likes of Amla Kallis n Smith for years n as soon as they went. AB didnt have the stomach anymore to carry on.
 
33 years old AB don't retire from any format.

That shot against Willey was AB Special.
 
Smith plays on probably the flattest pitches on the world whereas pitches in SA can be pretty challenging.

Lol Smith has scored runs everywhere in the world it is futile to try and dismiss his achievements.

Hundred and 90 vs Steyn, Philander and Morkel in SA in 2014
Hundred vs Herath in SL last year
90 odd (if i remember correctly) vs Yasir in UAE in 2014
3 amazing hundreds in India (of which one was on a rank turner, and the 3rd was on a fast, bouncy pitch)
hundred in NZ

Only slight flaw in his batting is swinging conditions, but on EVERY OTHER KIND OF PCONDITIONS, he has dominated completely. He is already a superior batsman than AB ever was. Only 1 fewer century in basically half the matches is undeniable. Simply better.
 
He'll retire and worst is he will continue to captain in ODI's which has dramatically reduced SA chances of winning the WC.Horrible captain he is.In the game against Pakistan when he was struggling with his hamstring I was revealed that he didn't leave the field otherwise Pakistan might have lost.
 
Why would you say he hasn't been as pivotal? I'd say he's been just as handy as those 4. In fact, having all 5 of them was the key to our lenghty success in test cricket. He also helped out with wicket keeping in 23 tests, breaking another record by becoming the first wicketkeeper to score a century and claim 10 dismissals in a test. He's had an ATG test career in my opinion.

I honestly think he's ****** off with CSA for giving away his test captaincy (permanently) as soon as he got injured. He was also overlooked when they appointed Amla ahead of him. A role AB was groomed for since Smith's days.

Like I said, it's all a matter of opinion and I haven't heard anything to change mine.

A true role model for taking his ball home after being overlooked for the captaincy. Aspiring to be the South African Mohammad Yousuf with those antics. He aggravated an elbow injury playing in the CPL last year, and then had the chutzpah to blame the international schedule for his problems even though South Africa had not played any meaningful cricket since the World T20 in March. I'm sure the administrators have strung him along due to selection issues, particularly at the last World Cup, but he hasn't exactly covered himself in glory with his petulance.

As to the wider point, he's nowhere near the likes of Kallis, Smith, Boucher, Pollock and Donald in terms of his contribution to South Africa's test performances since readmission. One innings at Port Elizabeth against a Mitchell Johnson inspired Australia notwithstanding.
 
A true role model for taking his ball home after being overlooked for the captaincy. Aspiring to be the South African Mohammad Yousuf with those antics. He aggravated an elbow injury playing in the CPL last year, and then had the chutzpah to blame the international schedule for his problems even though South Africa had not played any meaningful cricket since the World T20 in March. I'm sure the administrators have strung him along due to selection issues, particularly at the last World Cup, but he hasn't exactly covered himself in glory with his petulance.

As to the wider point, he's nowhere near the likes of Kallis, Smith, Boucher, Pollock and Donald in terms of his contribution to South Africa's test performances since readmission. One innings at Port Elizabeth against a Mitchell Johnson inspired Australia notwithstanding.

Why do you say he's "nowhere near"? He's had numerous match changing performances for the Proteas in tests.
 
ABD is at the same situation (injuries and agewise) as Tendulkar was in 2006 although Tendulkar had played a lot lot more cricket ( Tests/ODIs/FC ) than ABD has at age 33 ... then there was the disastrous 2007 WC , Greg Chappell and Tendulkar outlived all of that to produce some of his finest moments by going on the play in the 2011 WC and beyond. I don't see that sort of Hunger in ABD to play 2 more Worldcups let alone another 50-60 Test matches + 100 ODI's

Tendulkar had played 132 Tests plus a staggering 364 ODIs + 250+ FC matches by Age 33.
ABD has played 106 Tests + 222 ODIs + 132 FC + 76 ODIs + 230 T20s
 
ABD is at the same situation (injuries and agewise) as Tendulkar was in 2006 although Tendulkar had played a lot lot more cricket ( Tests/ODIs/FC ) than ABD has at age 33 ... then there was the disastrous 2007 WC , Greg Chappell and Tendulkar outlived all of that to produce some of his finest moments by going on the play in the 2011 WC and beyond. I don't see that sort of Hunger in ABD to play 2 more Worldcups let alone another 50-60 Test matches + 100 ODI's

Tendulkar had played 132 Tests plus a staggering 364 ODIs + 250+ FC matches by Age 33.
ABD has played 106 Tests + 222 ODIs + 132 FC + 76 ODIs + 230 T20s

Expect this pattern to repeat. I can see Kohli, Smith having similar thoughts when they reach ABD age.
 
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