AB plays down Proteas return
SUCH A PROSPECT NOT FAIR ON SA PLAYERS Star excited to shine for Tshwane Spartans in Mzansi Super League.
AB de Villiers has no plans for a Proteas comeback but he is really looking forward to the Mzansi Super League, the master batsman confirmed yesterday.
De Villiers is the marquee local player for the Centurion-based Tshwane Spartans, who held their launch at SuperSport Park yesterday, but the crowd favourite made more news this week over a reported comment that he would decide in January whether he would rescind his international retirement made in May and make himself available for the World Cup next year. De Villiers flatly denied he had any plans as far as the Proteas went, but was instead fully focused on the MSL.
For his many fans deprived of seeing the marvellous entertainer in action, his involvement, as captain of the Tshwane Spartans, will make the MSL a mouthwatering prospect.
“I’m just focused on the new league and I’m very happy to be involved in it. I feel the potential is huge and it will get better every year, but we mustn’t expect too much in the first year, it will take between three to five years to really take off. The IPL also had a shaky start until they found the right model, and now that’s the best tournament in the world.
“I hope we find a way to get to that quality of competition, to get the support of the global stars, and realistically it will take three to five years. I think there will be some buy-in this year already, with good crowds and it’s at the right time of year, there’ll be a good vibe and good things being said about the league. And I will try and entertain and enjoy it as much as I can, because I’ll be doing what I love,” De Villiers said.
The 34-year-old said he was distressed to hear reports of his comeback because it would not be fair on the current Proteas who have just arrived in Australia.
“There’s no comeback. My mistake was to say in passing ‘never say never’ to a TV reporter in India and then it all went horribly wrong and false headlines went around the world. I don’t want to confuse the team and it would be very selfish and arrogant of me to think I can just come back and play in the World Cup,” he added.
“I was asked about the chance of a comeback and I said ‘never say never, but I am very happy with where I am at the moment. It’s been a really good four months spending time with the family and flying to a few places to try and help spread the game. And I’m pretty positive about where the Proteas are at the moment.”