CSA clarifies stand on AB de Villiers’ World Cup recall

According to a report in ESPN Cricinfo, talismanic South African batsman, AB de Villiers had offered to come out of international retirement before the World Cup. But his offer was rejected by the team management, scrapping any chance of de Villiers making a sensational comeback during the tournament.

South Africa are struggling at the World Cup, losing three matches in a row and this report coming into the light will raise a lot of questions over the judgement by the team management.

The report states that de Villiers had communicated his desire about returning to international cricket to skipper Faf du Plessis and other important figures of the team management, but was promptly informed that such a move could not be possible.

The decision from de Villiers was last-ditch and he only informed the management 24-hours before South Africa were set to announce their 15-man squad for the World Cup. The management believed that it would have been unfair on other players if de Villiers was indeed recalled to the side and thus rejected his offer.

De Villiers had retired from international cricket in May 2018 and did not fulfil the basic criteria for selection, not having played domestic cricket or international cricket in the following months.

AB de Villiers responds

AB de Villiers has now himself spoken out on the story tweeting out a cryptic message which read “All that’s important is that we should all focus on supporting the team at the World Cup. There is a long way to go and I believe the boys can still go all the way #ProteaFire.”

All that’s important is that we should all focus on supporting the team at the World Cup. There is a long way to go and I believe the boys can still go all the way #ProteaFire

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) June 6, 2019

CSA’s clarification

Cricket South Africa have also released a statement on the report, which all but confirmed the story. The statement by National Selection Panel Convenor, Linda Zondi, read:

A lot of questions and theories will now arise after the emergence of this story. One could only wonder if South Africa’s fortunes would have been completely different if de Villiers a member of the 15-man squad.