It will be one of the most disappointing news for cricket lovers if, South Africa’s best batsman AB de Villiers will retire from Test cricket after the England series. Few days back, a leading newspaper claimed, de Villiers might opt of Test matches to keep himself fit for the game.
The 31-year-old has been one of the pillars of South African batting and has been leading them in ODIs. Now, the Proteas have also asked him to keep wickets in Test, which can add to his woes. Playing the entire 12 months can from IPL to international commitments ask more from AB.
Meanwhile, he has rebutted any news of retirement in near future. South African selectors also would likely use limited-overs games to give De Villiers a rest, although he didn’t rule out missing some tests.
Not only De Villiers, their best bowler Dale Steyn is considering to give up the longer version to keep himself fit for rest of the formats.
If that occurs, it would cause major problems for top ranked South Africa as they are already in transition after Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smit retired from the game.
Even there is news; AB can skip the cash-rich league to avoid fatigue. Earlier this month, South Africans were in India for more than two months playing four Tests, five ODIs and three T20.
Steyn has been also playing some restless cricket as the best bowler missed most of the Proteas’ recent series loss in India with a groin injury, and then sustained a shoulder strain that saw him leave the field on Monday against England.
