Don’t hold breath for AB this season

ONLY the unlikely unavailability of Jofra Archer or Tymal Mills could see South African great AB de Villiers become a Hurricane in 2018-19.

And even if one of Hobart’s two imports were not available for BBL|08, Cricket Tasmania chief Nick Cummins isn’t convinced de Villiers would be on the market this summer.

De Villiers shocked cricketing circles overnight when he declared his retirement from international cricket, effective immediately, and the news sent Twenty20 franchises in competitions around the world into a frenzy.

But Cummins — who has not hidden his desire to lure the superstar to Hobart after trying to sign him while at the Sydney Thunder — believes the 34-year-old is likely to play domestic cricket in his home country this year.

“If one of our overseas players wasn’t available then that opens up an opportunity, but as it is we have our two overseas players contracted, so we couldn’t fit him in,” Cummins said. “But if one of our guys, Archer or Mills, couldn’t come for whatever reason, and AB was interested — I haven’t actually spoken to him or his manager recently [I spoke to his manager ongoing for the last five years] — then of course you would see.

“I did note he expressed interest in playing for the Titans this year, too, so maybe he is just going to play in South Africa, but I’m not sure.”

De Villiers retires after playing 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 international T20s, amassing a total of 20,014 runs at the highest level. In a video posted to Twitter last night, he said he has not given any thought to playing overseas, outside his IPL commitments.

“I have no plans to play overseas,” he said.

“In fact, I hope I can continue to be available for the Titans in domestic cricket. I will continue to be the biggest supporter of Faf du Plessis and the Proteas.”

Meanwhile, Cummins said a decision to let Brighton enter the CTPL in third grade from this season would provide more opportunities for players in the rapidly growing municipality. The decision was still to be formally approved by the Premier League committee.

Brighton initially would field a third grade side before looking to move up the grades in the next few years.

“We need to ensure our premier cricket teams are based where the people are and Brighton is an expanding area of Hobart and, looking at demographic projections, it is going to be even bigger by 2030,” Cummins said.

“We have to ensure we have quality teams where quality facilities are. With Brighton Council putting money into Pontville, with turf wickets and practice wickets, they are premier cricket-ready in that regard. At this point it would be a third grade team and we would monitor the progress of the new club and their capability of rising in the grades.”