De Villiers gives up ODI captaincy But will play in the three formats!

By SMCS - Aug 24, 2017 5:17 am

AB Devilliers has stepped down as the African ODI captaincy on Wednesday. With a lot of talks going around about his test career, he has confirmed to continue playing in all formats of the game.

His last ODI captaincy was in ICC Champions Trophy 2017 where the Proteas failed to make a mark and faced an early exit from the tournament. He had to take over the T20I captaincy after that due to the absence of Faf Du Plessis against England.

Recently in a video released on his app telling that he would step down from being the skipper and he also praised Faf Du Plessis efforts for the team’s well being.

Looking forward to a great summer #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/yojybIrvjZ
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) August 23, 2017

“Faf du Plessis has proved to be an outstanding captain of the T20 and Test teams and bearing this in mind, I’ve informed Cricket South Africa that I would like to step down as captain of the ODI team,” de Villiers said. “It has been an honor to lead the team for the past six years, but it is now time for somebody else to lead the ODI team forward.”

De Villiers last played a Test in January 2016 and was mostly ruled out due to injury concerns but with stepping down he now feels that he would get more time to concentrate on his game.

“A lot has been said and written over the past 12 months and I feel it is time to make my position absolutely clear,” de Villiers stated. “Over the past year or so, I’ve tried to manage my commitments. I’ve felt mentally and physically tired. Playing in all three formats ever since 2004 has taken its toll. Together with Cricket South Africa, we’ve tried to develop a viable schedule which allows me to prolong my career for as long as possible. This strategy has prompted some people to say that I’m picking and choosing when to play for the Proteas and even to suggest I’m somehow putting myself before the team. This is simply not true. Playing for South Africa is and will always be the greatest privilege of my life.

“Following this recent break, I really do feel refreshed and revived. I want to get back on the field and I have assured the national selectors that I’ll be available for selection in all three formats of the game during the coming season. There is plenty of hard work ahead in the nets and I must prepare properly. But I’ll be ready to play, if required, from the middle of October onwards.” he concluded.

Related stories