Despite hinting on multiple occasions in recent years that he is interested in representing South Africa again, AB de Villiers put an end to speculation, announcing that “once and for all, that his retirement will remain final”.
De Villiers’ final stance on the matter was confirmed by Cricket South Africa via a statement on Twitter as the board picked the Proteas’ squads for the forthcoming tours to Ireland and West Indies.
It was only a month back when he was playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021 that De Villiers told the press he was in discussion with South Africa head coach Mark Boucher regarding a potential return ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled for October-November in India.
“We (Head Coach Mark Boucher and him) are lined up to have a chat sometime during the IPL. But yes, we’ve been talking about it already,”
De Villiers had said after playing an excellent knock in Chennai versus the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
“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,”
he added.
For the tours to Ireland and West Indies, Temba Bavuma remains the limited-overs captain of a squad that will see the return of all six regular players who left the Pakistan home series midway to take part in IPL 2021.
Proteas have retained Sisanda Magala and Lizaad Williams in the white-ball arena, with the only difference in the two squads being Keshav Maharaj, who has been rested for the T20Is against West Indies but is part of the Tests in the Caribbean and the ODIs & T20Is on Irish shore.
In Tests, the Caribbean assignment will be the first time experienced opener Dean Elgar will captain the side. Elgar has taken over from Quinton de Kock on a full-time basis as South Africa look to bounce back after a disappointing first World Test Championship campaign.
Prenalan Subrayen, the off-spinner from Natal, has been handed his maiden Test call-up to bolster the spin department, already featuring Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde.
Kyle Verreynne, Keegan Petersen, Saral Erwee, Marco Jansen and Lizaad Williams are other uncapped players included in the Test squad which, however, isn’t short of experience and ability. But the series against a West Indies side growing in confidence won’t be easy.
“The Caribbean is well-known for its low and slow wickets and we have ensured that we have chosen the personnel needed for every eventuality on this very important excursion,” selection committee person Victor Mpitsang said in a statement.
“While there aren’t any (ICC World Test Championship) points to play for, it is still of vital importance for South Africa to produce winning results through a steadily growing and high-performing cricket pipeline.”
South Africa will play 2 Tests and five T20Is on the tour of the Caribbean, starting June 10. In Ireland, the Proteas will play 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is in a white-ball series beginning July 11.
