New Straits Times

TALENTED AND TRANSFORME­D

England better team today and one of the favourites in Champions Trophy

-

stellar Indian Premier League season, scoring 316 runs and collecting 12 wickets in 12 matches to help the Rising Pune Supergiant­s reach the final but he will not play in it after being recalled by England for the South Africa series.

“He’s definitely got something special about him,” De Villiers added.

“A lot of guys lose their way in the IPL, and others find the next level in their game — Ben Stokes definitely lifted his game and I think it would have done him the world of good.”

De Villiers, 33, has made himself unavailabl­e for the Test series against England which follows the Champions Trophy.

“I haven’t retired — but I’m not going to change my decision,” De Villiers said.

“I’ll look indecisive, but it’s important that I’m feeling physically and mentally healthy, and that’s what I decided on.”

The first ODI will between England and South Africa is in Leeds on Wednesday. Reuters

 ??  ?? England’s Ben Stokes has been recalled for the South Africa series.
England’s Ben Stokes has been recalled for the South Africa series.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Malaysia