Welcome back AB de Villiers
PAARL: On a sun-drenched morning yesterday, with the Du Toitskloof Mountains as the backdrop, AB De Villiers delivered a timely reminder of his genius.
It was the perfect setting, combined with a feeble Bangladesh attack that has taken a pounding on this tour, for De Villiers to begin his journey to the 2019 World Cup.
Much has been made of De Villiers’ absence from the national teams over the past two years due to injury and a sabbatical, but to doubt his talent and prowess with willow in hand was simply foolish.
Relieved of leadership responsibilities, handed over to his good friend Faf du Plessis who he believes “could become one of our best ever”, he expressed his new-found freedom in a manner that made even the opposition supporters stand and applaud.
And there were many of them, for just like in Kimberley during the first ODI on Sunday, the mass of green in the stands and on the grass banks here were primarily there to see their heroes in the flesh.
But instead of being entertained by Tamim Iqbal or Shakib-al-Hasan, they were treated to a masterclass by De Villiers, who struck a blisteringly seamless 176 off only 104 balls. Back in tandem with long-time run-scoring partner Hashim Amla, the pair joined forces as if they were never separated as they put on 120 for the fourth wicket with Amla cruising to 85 off 92 balls.
“It’s great to be back. I was quite nervous. I felt like it was my first game. I enjoyed my break. It was like my first off-season in 13 seasons. I got to see my second son grow,” De Villiers enthused.
“But I missed being part of the team. I wanted to get back and am glad that I could contribute. I worked on few technical things too. We had lost a couple of wickets. I was nervous, so I told Hash that we needed to get a partnership going and it was great to be out there with Hash again.”
His innings supplied the sort of scoreboard pressure that would affect teams anywhere and was always likely to prove terminal to the opposition, not least a touring side that have yet to taste success.
The pitch stayed true but the asking rate was relentless. Imrul Kayes (68 off 77 balls) and Sunday’s centurion Mushfiqur Rahim (60 off 70 balls) at least kept their fervent fans warm as the temperature dropped in the afternoon, but a successful run-chase was always going to require someone to play an innings of far greater substance.
It was not forthcoming with Imran Tahir again to the fore. There’s no bowler in the world who strikes more regularly during overs 20-40 than the Proteas’ veteran leg-spinner. He duly delivered the scalps of Shakib and Imrul Kayes in successive overs that eliminated any chance of an upset. When he added the wicket of Sabbir Rahman, it was merely just reward for his earlier efforts.
Young all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo did not mind Tahir softening up the Bangladesh top-order for him to pounce as he collected a careerbest 4/40 to wrap it up.
But the day belonged to De Villiers. He was relentless in his determination and brought a certain energy level to the batting that only a player of his talents can deliver.
Welcome back Abraham Benjamin de Villiers!