Proteas great AB de Villiers will team up in a new golf event with recently-retired former world No 1 tennis player Ashleigh Barty. Photo: Gallo Images
AB de Villiers confirms international comeback talks are on
It looks like there will be one last hurrah for one of the greatest cricketers South Africa has ever produced, AB de Villiers.
Proteas great AB de Villiers will team up in a new golf event with recently-retired former world No 1 tennis player Ashleigh Barty. Photo: Gallo Images
AB de Villiers has confirmed that he is due to discuss a possible T20 International return with a view to playing in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Team Director Mark Boucher said during the series against Pakistan, that talks with De Villiers were underway.
AB de Villiers confirms comeback talks
The 37-year-old superstar confirmed that he would discuss the ins and outs while still over in India for the IPL.
De Villiers retired from international cricket in 2018 but is reportedly keen to have one last bash at winning a major ICC tournament.
“We are lined up to have a chat sometime during the IPL. But yes, we’ve been talking about it already,” de Villiers said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.
“Last year, he asked me if I would be interested. And I said, ‘absolutely’. And come the end of the IPL, we will have a look at where we are at with regards to my form and my fitness.
“Also, the situation with his team – he’s got to look at his guys who have been performing well over the last while. If there’s no space for me, so be it. If I can slot in there, it will be fantastic if all those things fall in place. Waiting for [the chat with] Bouchy towards the end of the IPL, and we will then plan accordingly.”
De Villiers and the South African team management had laid out a roadmap for his participation in the 2020 T20 World Cup before the event was cancelled due to the pandemic.
ABD the finisher
De Villiers has been performing a finisher role for the Royal Challengers Bangalore of late, while also taking the gloves.
It probably won’t be necessary for de Villiers to take the Proteas gloves given the presence of plenty of wicketkeeper batsmen in and around the squad.
