Despite the fact that the flamboyant South African batsman, AB de Villiers won’t be part of the South African squad at the World Cup in 2019, as he announced his retirement earlier this year, he is convinced that the Proteas can leave years of disappointment behind and win the title. Speaking to CricketNext, De Villiers said that the current form of the batsmen will play a crucial factor in the tournament.
ABD explained, “I think the Proteas are looking good for the World Cup. They have had a great series win against Australia. India and England are the other two teams that I feel have a good shot at the title. The bowlers look exceptional but we will be needing in-form batsmen to travel to England.”
Former South African skipper’s decision to call quits was a big surprise for the cricketing fraternity and left a big hole in the South African middle order. While there has been speculation on and off that De Villiers could be persuaded to reconsider his decision, he clarified that nothing of that sort is planned in near future, saying his focus now is on spending time with his family after a decade-long playing career.
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Explaining his happiness after the retirement, De Villiers said, “I am extremely happy, I feel a lot of happiness in my heart and that’s important. My relationships with my wife, my kids, my parents, my brothers are the most important things in my life & that’s exceptionally well in the last few years. So, I am a very happy man.”
However, De Villiers hasn’t been away from cricket completely as he will continue to play in T20 competitions around the world including the IPL and is currently involved in the inaugural edition of the Mzansi Super League in South Africa. He is, in fact, leading the Tshwane Spartans and scored with a half-century on Friday night in the tournament opener, though his team was beaten handily by Cape Town Blitz.
The tournament will be concluded next month and ABD believes it will be a bonanza for South African fans. However, he dismissed fears that with a profusion of T20 leagues coming up in different parts world, international cricket will lose its radiance, pointing to the extent of high-profile cricket action on offer to fans over the next few months.
Describing the same, De Villiers said, “I am excited, the Mzansi Super League at Home. It’s great that our home tournament is taking off & I am very proud of it. Proteas are coming back. That will up the skill of the tournament as well. Starting from the MSL till the end of the World Cup in 2019, there will be eight to nine months or almost 300 days of exciting cricket, which includes over 25 Test matches, ODIs & T20Is, involving all the top sides in the world. Leagues will only expose more talents to the global level. It will hopefully make the game healthier.”
