I’M NO MERCENARY
De Villiers defends snubbing England Tests for T20 cash
AB de Villiers has defended his decision to put the riches of the indian Premier league ahead of four Tests against england.
south Africa’s best batsman and captain will lead his side in three 50-over matches and three Twenty20s, starting with an Odi at Headingley on Wednesday, but when the red ball comes out in July, de Villiers will go home.
it is a decision the 33-year-old says he has made with his family in mind, but it will shock those who believe Test cricket should come first. south Africa do not pay their players as well as the likes of england and Australia, leaving them vulnerable to players in the latter stages of their careers, such as de Villiers, putting money ahead of country.
The relentless cycle of international cricket means something has to give and de Villiers is not willing to give up his £1.5million salary in the iPl with royal Challengers Bangalore.
‘i made some important decisions for my life and career in the last year so i can have the best chance of winning trophies and being part of a successful team,’ de Villiers said ahead of today’s tour opener against sussex.
‘Physically i realised i’m the best i can be when i’m fresh and looking forward to cricket instead of being tired when i’m playing.
‘spending time with family has done me the world of good. it is about finding the balance of working hard to win with time away from the game.’
de Villiers, who will also lead south Africa in the Champions Trophy that follows their 50- over series against england, insists he has not retired from Test cricket and is expected to return against india in January.
‘i can only focus on what is going on now and the decision was made to play a little less,’ he said. ‘i am feeling fresh and a hundred per cent fit and that was the aim ahead of this tournament.’
But de Villiers, who has struggled by his high standards this year, does not believe other players will follow his example.
‘it is an individual thing. Not everybody is in my situation,’ he said. ‘some players will have a similar decision to make but i can’t speak for the rest of the cricketing world.’
south Africa have also lost Kyle Abbott, rilee rossouw and simon Harmer to the financial security of county cricket as Kolpak non-overseas players.