Disappointed fans don’t buy into AB’s money matters
The tide of sympathetic public opinion turned away from AB de Villiers this week when he confirmed that he would not only miss the imminent Test series against New Zealand but would also be unavailable for the four-Test series against England in July and August and next summer’s hors d’oeuvre series against Bangladesh.
On Wednesday, he announced his plans to play some four-day cricket for the Titans next summer before competing for a place in the Proteas starting XI for the four-Test series against India next December and January. There was no comment on his plans for the series against Australia in March 2018.
“Workload management” was the official reason for the great batsman’s scheduling but there were a few vague references to “getting my head right” and “my life has changed”.
It is no secret that he was deeply scarred by the World Cup semifinal defeat to New Zealand and the events that preceded it and is now driven by an intense desire to make amends by leading the team to the 2019 event in England.
But there may be other reasons for his decision to take a Test sabbatical in 2017. He felt betrayed by Cricket South Africa when it appointed Faf du Plessis as full-time Test captain, a position he coveted. When an incumbent player is injured, his place is usually reserved until he is fit again. Why not a captain?
De Villiers also has one of the most lucrative bat sponsorships in the history of the game with the Indian manufacturer MRF. But it is dependant on him playing in all three formats, especially if the Indian market is watching.
Making himself available for the Indian tour to South Africa is no coincidence.
Inevitably his decision to play for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League where his contract is worth more than R17million has also outraged many of his previously adoring fans. But that is about five times the value of his national contract.
At the age of 32 and with a second child due, economics played an understandable part in his decision.
But one former team-mate was unconvinced by it all: “The greatest sports team on Earth, the All Blacks, live by one creed above all others — no individual is more important than the team. AB will do well to remember that.”
If he does lead the team to World Cup victory in just over two years’ time, his legend and legacy will be secure. But at the moment it is starting to flake.