AB de Villiers has said that he is in the ‘best form of his career’ as he prepares for his maiden stint with the Brisbane Heat in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL). He will replace Tom Banton in the team and is all set to make his debut against the Adelaide Strikers on Tuesday.

“I felt in some of the best form of my career. Hopefully we’ll see more of that in this tournament,” AB de Villiers told reporters in Brisbane. “I know what’s required of me to make a play for the team. There’s been some standout performances from the Heat this season and I think the team is in a really good place. Tom Banton did a fantastic job, hopefully I’ll do a similar job but in the middle order.”

“It could be interesting, I don’t know what to expect. We know each other from chatting at IPL but it’s an interesting dynamic with two players at the crease, it either works or it doesn’t. I’ve got a feeling it’s going to work and be very nice to watch. Hopefully I’ll do most of the watching at the non-striker’s end,” he added.

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The Heat are currently fifth in the BBL points table and there will be pressure on AB de Villiers to play well and take his side to the finish line.

“I always (feel pressure). Wherever I play around world, either a club game or the World Cup semi-finals, I feel the same kind of pressure, the pressure I put on myself to perform at the best of my ability. This is no different, but I’ve done it so many times. It doesn’t guarantee success but I know what to expect. The butterflies I’m getting in my stomach is a good sign. All I can do is go out and enjoy myself and hopefully have an impact on the game with the batting,” he added.

“Then there’s the fielding and all the off-field stuff as well. I’ve got a big role to play as an individual not just as a cricketer and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he concluded.