SA face uphill battle
DONALD: WITHOUT AB, WINNING WORLD CUP WILL BE A WHOLE LOT TOUGHER
‘In one-day cricket there has been no one better’.
Allan Donald, former Proteas fast bowler, has said he was as surprised as anyone when AB de Villiers announced his retirement from international cricket this week.
“I have had my turn and, to be honest, I am tired,” said the 34-year-old De Villiers upon revealing he was calling time on his international career.
Donald, who has spent a lot of time with De Villiers in the national team set-up, as well as in the IPL as bowling coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore, said the news had “rocked” South Africa.
“Very shocked. Very, very surprised,” Donald told the International Cricket Council.
“AB, when he came back after a long delay, a year off, said he wanted to give himself a good break and think about it. And now this news.
“Social media is absolutely flying with best wishes. He’s just been unbelievable for South African cricket, for South African sport, and what he has done to bring people closer in South Africa. It’s just terrific.”
In 114 Tests, he scored 8 765 runs at 50.66, with a highest score of 278 not out.
In 228 ODIs, De Villiers notched up 9 577 runs at 53.50 – he holds the record for the fastest century in ODIs off just 31 deliveries – and in T20Is, he scored 1672 runs in 78 outings with a strike-rate of 135.16.
However, one of the few things missing from De Villiers’ trophy cabinet is a World Cup trophy and Donald said he was surprised he didn’t play on until the tournament next year.
“He leaves an immense hole in South Africa’s batting line-up, especially in the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup,” said Donald.
“He wanted to give that World Cup his best shot, he wanted to have a World Cup winner’s medal in his hand. So, yeah, this is a massive surprise.
“He is a huge loss. Just the skill he brings, the immense intensity that he brings in the batting lineup of South Africa. That word – ‘being reliable’ – whenever AB goes to the crease, you know when it comes to the back end, good luck to the bowlers.
“A lot of the bowlers will be relieved now that he is not playing anymore. South Africa are going to miss him. I am not saying that dents their chances of winning the World Cup, but without him there, it will be a huge, uphill struggle.”
Donald rates De Villiers as one of “the top three batsmen” South Africa has ever produced, and added that he would be missed for his leadership as well.
“I am sure there will be people saying he is one of the greatest of all time. In one-day cricket there has been no one better.
“Whatever he does now, good luck to him. I know family time is very important to him.” – ANA
Trevor Stevens
Whether you agree with AB de Villiers’ sudden retirement this week from the international arena, or not, you have to admit the talented, likeable cricketer was in a class of his own.
The 34-year-old was a joy to watch. When he was at the crease, there was always something happening. The ease with which he faced top bowlers in difficult conditions, or the effortless manner in which he unleashed his many innovative shots, made him the force he was.
Over 14 years of international cricket he amassed 20 014 runs across all three formats, scoring 47 hundreds and 109 half-centuries. That he could keep wicket or field anywhere on the park with the same ease – he took 463 catches across all the formats – just made him even more special ... a once-in-a-generation cricketer.
Having made a u-turn recently by making himself available for all formats after a break gave you the impression he wasn’t going anywhere soon. The commitment he showed against India and Australia in recent times, and with next year’s World Cup looming large, led you to believe he was going to be around forever.
And then came the killer announcement this week: “I have had my turn, and to be honest, I am tired.”
Yes, De Villiers will always be remembered for his countless blitzkrieg innings in the coloured clothing, or his wonderful double Test hundreds against India in Ahmedabad or Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.
Personally I will always remember the manner in which he announced himself in his debut Test series against England in 2004/05.
Trailing 2-1 in the series, he came home to Centurion for the fifth and final match of the series. In the first innings, opening the batting, he missed out on a maiden Test century, scoring 92, but in the second innings he wasn’t going to miss out again, scoring the first of 22 Test hundreds.
The manner in which he bossed the England bowlers around SuperSport Park at only 20 years of age was something to behold, and a sign of things to come. He didn’t disappoint, and his absence leaves a huge void in the South African team.
Fortunately he has said he would love to still turn out for the Titans in the near future, so all is not lost. And he will play in the Indian Premier League, and the Australian Big Bash franchises are already tabling deals for him.
Still, if only he could have played until the age of 43 like Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq. If only...