AB de Villiers had offered to make a comeback to international cricket for South Africa at ongoing 2019 ICC World Cup in England. However, his offer was rejected by the South Africa team management.
It is believed that de Villiers expressed his desire to return to international team to South Africa’s skipper Faf du Plessis and other important members of management, but was informed such a move was not possible, according to a news website.
Just 24 hours ahead of South Africa’s World Cup squad announcement, de Villiers reportedly approached du Plessis and coach Ottis Gibson expressing his desire to feature in the squad for the quadrennial tournament in England.
However, the team management considered AB de Villiers’ absence from the domestic circuit and the performance of other members, including Rassie van der Dussen during the period after the Royal Challengers Bangalore star’s retirement.
De Villiers had announced his retirement in May 2018.
Meanwhile, South Africa have now recorded their worst start in eight World Cup campaigns. After losing their first two matches, to England and Bangladesh, they went down by six wickets to Virat Kohli’s men in Southampton on Wednesday.
AB de Villiers was in sublime for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2019 edition and ended his campaign with 443 runs in 13 innings at an average of 44.20 and strike rate of 154 with 5 fifties.
Seeing de Villiers’ current form and Proteas’ poorest start in eight World Cup campaigns, the decision to refuse former South Africa captain’s proposal of international comeback by South Africa team management will raise many eyebrows.
Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Lindsey Parnaby
