Photo: Flickr / Sher Singh Bajwas
Photo: Flickr / Sher Singh Bajwas
South Africans have been left stumped by claims that AB de Villiers had offered to return to the Proteas’ World Cup side for the tournament in England, only to be turned down by the senior management staff.
Insider sources at Cricinfo suggest that de Villiers – who averages more than 53 with the bat in ODI cricket – made an eleventh-hour appeal to coaches and captain Faf du Plessis, on the eve of the squad announcement.
Apparently, this is why South Africa turned down AB de Villiers
However, it’s believed that the brains trust did not want to upset the applecart and shun other batsmen who have been performing well over the last 13 months, in AB’s absence. The stellar athlete confirmed in May 2018 that he’d be leaving the international circuit, citing issues with fatigue and the ability to compete at that level going forward.
Furthermore, choosing AB de Villiers would have been a bit of a slap in the face for Cricket South Africa’s selection criteria, which generally requires Proteas players to have played in the domestic game or represented their country in the months leading up to the showpiece tournament.
The rebuffed return
As the buzz on social media reflects, there are two schools of thought regarding the AB conundrum:
Big fan of AB de Villiers (who isn’t?), but I’m happy that CSA held their ground on this one. Shouldn’t tolerate players thinking their bigger than the game. #CWC19
— Rishad D’souza (@RD_Wisden) June 6, 2019
How the hell can someone like AB De Villiers be rejected ffs ??? That too when they’re in a rough patch with #Dale gone? ? #ProteaFire
— Swathii (@curlssup) June 6, 2019
South Africa at the Cricket World Cup 2019
However, the decision to stick to principle doesn’t look too clever in hindsight. South Africa have played three, lost three at the Cricket World Cup, with the campaign almost over before it’s even begun. They have six fixtures remaining and will need to win at least five of them to get anywhere near making the semi-finals.
They opened their campaign with defeat to hosts England last Thursday, before succumbing to an embarrassing loss to Bangladesh. The Proteas needed a big performance against India on Wednesday, but their batting line-up again failed to deliver as a collective. SA face West Indies on Monday in Hampshire, where defeat is not an option.
