AB de Villiers has given up the ODI captaincy

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

AB de Villiers has resigned as ODI captain, but confirmed that he will continue representing South Africa in all three formats.

There was a lot of speculation that De Villiers would retire from Test cricket, especially after he opted to miss a majority of the Test series South Africa played this year.

The 33-year-old has not donned the Test whites since January 2016 as after the Proteas’ home series against England, he sustained an elbow injury, which he underwent surgery for.

While De Villiers did make his international comeback and feature in limited overs matches, his Test future remained uncertain, so much so that Test captain Faf du Plessis said “I don’t expect him to come back into the Test team”.

De Villiers most recently captained South Africa at the Champions Trophy in England in June, but the Proteas endured a torrid campaign as they failed to get past the group stage.

Even though he has given up the ODI captaincy, De Villiers confirmed that he feels refreshed and added that he will start featuring in all formats from mid-October onwards.

“Faf du Plessis has proved to be an outstanding captain of the T20 and Test teams, and bearing this in mind, I have informed Cricket South Africa that I would like to step down as captain of the ODI team,” he said. “It has been an honour to lead the team for the past six years, but it is now time for someone else to take the ODI side forward. Whoever is chosen as the new ODI captain will have my complete support.

“Following this recent break, I really do feel refreshed and revived. I want to get back on the field and I have today assured the national selectors that I will 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 will be ready to play, if required, from the middle of October onwards.”

De Villiers’ mid-October return means he will miss South Africa’s Test series against Bangladesh in September, but it is likely he will be available when India visit towards the end of the year.

“Over the past year or so, I have tried to manage many commitments,” he said. “I have felt mentally and physically tired; my wife and I are bringing up two fantastic kids and playing in all three formats ever since 2004 has taken its toll.

“Together with Cricket South Africa, we have tried to develop a viable schedule which allows me to prolong my career for as long as possible.”

De Villiers also made it clear that managing his workload over the past year has allowed him to prolong his international career, which he insisted is his top priority.

“This strategy has prompted some people to say I am picking and choosing when to play for the Proteas, and even to suggest I am somehow putting myself before the team,” he said. “That is simply not true. That has never been true. Playing for South Africa is, and will always be, the greatest privilege of my life.”