Gibson rules out AB return

Proteas coach Ottis Gibson (below) has pretty much ruled out a temporary return from international retirement for AB de Villiers for next year’s World Cup.

The former fast bowler yesterday admitted that South Africa’s batting talisman, who made the shock announcement last week, had “let a few things hang in the air” regarding his plans.

SA sport isn’t unfamiliar with legends of the game launching comebacks for big tournaments.

Former Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer in 2014 convinced Victor Matfield to come out of retirement for the 2015 Rugby World Cup after he’d called it quits in 2012.

“I played cricket, I retired,” said Gibson. “When you retire, you retire. That’s how it generally goes.”

Yet he still considers such a possibility intriguing.

“It wouldn’t only be down to me. It’s the type of bridge you only cross if it somehow happens. When a player makes a decision on retirement, it’s hard to go back,” said Gibson.

“If someone’s taken his place and is performing well, how do you deal with such a situation?”

While admitting his disappointment at De Villiers’ departure as well as initially trying to convince him to only give up Test cricket, the Proteas mentor is at least relieved that the national set-up now has a decent amount of time to groom a successor in the batting order.

“At least AB’s given us a year to find a replacement. Well, no one will ever replace AB de Villiers but at least he’s given an opportunity to someone to put their hand up,” said Gibson.

A more realistic return to the fold would be possible should De Villiers be willing to following the coaching route.

“Whenever he’s been around at practice, he’s always talking to young guys. If the opportunity would arise, I would jump at it,” said Gibson.