Former top-order batsman, AB de Villiers has again expressed his desire to return to international cricket, giving cricket fans all around the world the hope that they might see “Mr 360” at the T20 World Cup scheduled for October this year in Australia.
Speaking to former Zimbabwean cricketer and SuperSport commentator Mpumelelo Mbangwa on Instagram Live, de Villiers responded to a question posed by one of his fans about coming out of retirement.
He again reiterated that he was in conversation with Proteas head coach Mark Boucher and Cricket South Africa (CSA) director of cricket Graeme Smith. De Villiers is understood to be very close to the pair, whom he played with in the past.
The prolific right-hander (36) has not played a T20 international since 2017, but he has featured and consistently performed when it comes to T20 Leagues around the world, whether playing in India’s IPL, Australia’s Big Bash, Pakistan, the West Indies or South Africa.
“I would absolutely love to play [for the Proteas] but it’s so unsure at the moment, where we’re heading with cricket around the world,” said de Villiers.
“I’ve spoken to ‘Bouch’ and ‘Smithy’ and all of them and the urge is there. I would desperately want to represent my country again.
“[But] I can’t commit to that because I don’t know where I’m headed. Am I going to be fit if [the T20 World Cup] happens in 2021? Am I still going to be in form?
“If I do commit to something like that I’d like to think that I’m going to be in the best form of my life, so I can bat and score runs for my country.
“There’s a lot of factors that I can’t control at the moment, so I’m taking it one day at a time and, touch wood, everything will work out.”
Quinton de Kock is the only South African batsman in the top 15 batting ranking and de Villers would provide much need batting firepower.
Doubts have been cast over the World Cup happening due to the global Corona Virus pandemic with club cricket returning in Australia, cricket fans around the world have been given a glimmer of hope.
