With 365 days to go for the World Cup, South Africa have been dealt a major blow as their star batsman AB de Villiers shocked the cricketing world by announcing retirement from all forms of international cricket on May 23rd. It would be tough for South African cricket board to find a replacement.
Here’s The Glorious Journey Of Mr. 360 ‘AB de Villiers’ In International Cricket
South Africa needs to find some good replacements for World Cup 2019 to be held from May 30th. The South African cricket has never won 50 Over World Cup and AB de Villiers retirement is a major blow for their World Cup hopes.
VIDEO: Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar Pays Tribute To AB de Villiers’ Glittering Career
Here we look at the 6 players who can replace AB de Villiers in the 2019 World Cup squad
1. Heinrich Klaasen
The hard-hitting Heinrich Klaasen from South Africa made his ODI debut in the 4th One-day international match against India played at Wanders, Johannesburg on 10th February. He played a blinder of an innings scoring a match-winning 43 off 27 balls and helped South Africa win the match by 5 wickets.
He smashed Yuzvendra Chahal all over the park and created pressure on the Indian bowlers with innovative stroke play. Because of his knocks, he replaced Steve Smith for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018. Till date, Klassen has played 4 ODI matches scoring 110 runs. In the T20 match against India played at Centurion this Feb, Klassen smashed 69 off 30 balls and led South Africa to a great win.
In the domestic circuit, Heinrich Klaasen has scored 1277 runs with an average of 35.47. With South Africa looking for a replacement, Klassen could be an ideal replacement as a backup wicketkeeper-batsman and also who can bat lower down the order.
2. Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram led South Africa to World Cup glory in the Under 19 World Cup 2014 held at the United Arab Emirates. He was named as the captain of South Africa senior side during the ODI series against India this year.
Till now, the right-handed stylish batsman has played just 7 ODI’s and scored just 66 runs with an average of 27.57. With AB de Villiers retired from international cricket, it gives the youngster to bat in the middle order and firm his place in the middle order.
3. Reeza Hendricks
The experienced Reeza Hendricks would be another option for the South African team replacing AB de Villiers. He has just 12 T20Is for South Africa and scored 275 runs with the best score of 70. He has lots of experience of playing List A cricket with 4494 runs from 138 matches.
Reeza Hendricks lack of experience in ODI cricket could work against him but with ODI matches coming up this year, he could be selected in South African ODI team and if he could perform well then Reeza might be there in the World Cup squad.
4. Theunis de Bruyn
Theunis de Bruyn was called into the South African side last year and played 5 ODI’s, 2 T20I’s matches. He is one of the talented batsmen going around in the South African domestic circuit. His record in international cricket has been great, but his domestic record shows his capacity.
He has played 38 List A matches and scored 1234 runs with an average of 41.13. With AB de Villiers retired, de Bruyn has all the capabilities to replace the star batsmen.
5. Christiaan Jonker
The hard-hitting Christiaan Jonker made his T20I debut for South Africa in the 3rd T20I match against India played at Cape Town on 24th February 2018. He smashed top quality Indian bowling line-up consisting of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal by scoring 49 off 24 balls and almost helped South Africa win the match.
He has a great T20I record in domestic cricket scoring 1665 runs from 78 matches with an average of 28.70 but with a strike rate of 132.56. Jonker posses a decent List A record scoring 2841 runs with an average near to 40 and strike rate of 103.
Because of his hard-hitting abilities, Jonker would be an ideal replacement for AB de Villiers in the middle order.
6. Jon Jon Smuts
Another explosive batsman who played just played 8 T20I’s for South Africa but with a good strike rate of 110.52. He has lots of experience of playing List A cricket playing 122 matches scoring 3907 runs with an average of 35.19. His best score in domestic cricket has been 173*.
With his aggressive approach in batting, Jon Jon Smuts could be selected in the World Cup squad instead of AB de Villiers. He gives an option of part-time spin bowling.