South Africa’s AB de Villiers (C) plays a shot during their T20 cricket match against Sri Lanka on January 25, 2017, in Cape Town. – AB de Villiers marked his return to international cricket with a stylish half-century in South Africa’s Twenty20 clash against Sri Lanka at Newlands. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP)
Watch: AB de Villiers opens up on possible Proteas return [video]
Plans are in place to have AB de Villiers back in the Proteas fold ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia.
South Africa’s AB de Villiers (C) plays a shot during their T20 cricket match against Sri Lanka on January 25, 2017, in Cape Town. – AB de Villiers marked his return to international cricket with a stylish half-century in South Africa’s Twenty20 clash against Sri Lanka at Newlands. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP)
Former South Africa batsman AB de Villiers could soon come out of retirement to play in the upcoming ICC World T20, taking place in October and November.
The 35-year-old ended his international career in 2018 and was a subject of controversy a year later when it emerged that there had been talks to have him join the squad ahead of the Cricket World Cup in England.
Possible T20 World Cup boost for South Africa
More recently, there has been more chatter about him returning to the green and gold, and it appears a plan to have him on board has long been set in motion, according to the man himself.
Having been part of the Brisbane Heat squad in Australia’s Big Bash League, Rabada is one of the more high-profile names on show in the tournament, and the question over his immediate future was posed, following defeat to the Adelaide Strikers on Friday.
Speaking to the commentary team, comprising of Aussie great Ricky Ponting and New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum, “Mr 360” revealed that talks around a Proteas comeback took place as early as the recent Mzansi Super League, which ended in December.
“We had a nice discussion there. I chatted with Bouch (Proteas coach Mark Boucher) and with Faf (du Plessis),” he revealed. “We’re all very keen to make it happen.”
AB de Villiers
Watch: AB de Viliers keen on Proteas return
.@ABdeVilliers17 chats about the potential to play in this year's T20 World Cup… pic.twitter.com/HOSSX8LsUi
— #7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 18, 2020
Top brass keen for star batsman’s return
De Villiers made these comments some time after similar remarks from du Plessis, who also expressed a desire to have the star batsman back in the fold.
The Proteas skipper revealed in December that the talks were still ongoing.
“T20 cricket is a different beast, it’s not a lot of time away from home. If you are a full campaigner, you have to really get stuck in and spend a lot of time on the road,” Du Plessis said.
“Test cricket now is the most important thing but also the T20 World Cup is not too far away and there isn’t a lot – I reckon 20 T20s over the season – which won’t be that hard on one to do that. Those conversations have already taken place and will continue to before the next T20 series starts.”
Faf du Plessis
De Villiers played 78 T20 Internationals, scoring 1 672 runs prior to his retirement.
