The South African legend, AB De Villiers has decided to step down as the South African ODI captain but has confirmed his availability for the selection process in all the three formats.
In a video posted on his official Twitter account, De Villiers was heard saying, “A lot has been said and written over the past 12 months, and I feel it is time to make my position absolutely clear. Over the past year or so, I have tried to manage many commitments. 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. 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. 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,” the cricketer further added.
Looking forward to a great summer #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/yojybIrvjZ
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) August 23, 2017
He heaped a lot of praise on Faf Du Plessis’s captaincy skills and mentioned that he has been a brilliant captain. He went on say that “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.”
“It has been an honor 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,” he concluded.
The 33-year-old cricketer has last represented South Africa in a T20I in June while made an appearance in ODI earlier that month.