XtraTime Web Desk: With losing three back to back matches South Africa is on the verge of being knocked out of the ICC World Cup 2019. Many critics have started to say that the Proteas are missing the great AB de Villiers in the middle. Everyone will be shocked to know that the legend had offered to the SA board to come out of retirement for the ongoing World Cup but the board turned down his plea.
As per a report, the offer was made by de Villiers in May, just a day before South Africa selectors announced their final 15-member squad for the prestigious quadrennial event.
However, South Africa team management declined the offer with a thinking that a recall would, among other things, be unfair to the squad that had been together for the past year since de Villiers announced his retirement.
The report also said that De Villiers had approached Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis, head coach Ottis Gibson and convenor of selectors Linda Zondi, where he expressed his desire to reverse his retirement and play for the team in the World Cup. However, the team management declined his offer.
There were two main reasons why the team management decided not to accept de Villiers’ offer.
First, he had retired in May 2018, exactly a year before the World Cup was scheduled and, therefore, he did not fulfill the selection criteria, which included playing South African domestic cricket or international cricket in the intervening months.
Secondly, it was also felt that recalling the 35-year-old would be unfair on the players who had been performing in his absence.
Cricket South Africa National Selection Panel convenor, Mr Linda Zondi, has addressed the recent media statements regarding AB de Villiers and his reported decision to come out of retirement for the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
“I pleaded with AB de Villiers not to retire in 2018. Although there was a perception that he was picking and choosing when to play – which was not true- I did give him the option to plan and monitor his season to get him to the World Cup fresh and in a good space. We made it clear that he would have to play during the home tours against Sri Lanka and Pakistan to be considered for selection, instead he signed to play in the Pakistan and Bangladesh Premier Leagues respectively. He turned down the offer and said he was at peace with his decision to retire.
“For Faf du Plessis and Ottis Gibson to share AB’s desire to be included in the squad on the day we announced our World Cup squad on April 18th was a shock to all of us. AB left a big vacuum when he retired, we had a year to find players at franchise level to fill the gap. We had players who put in the hard work, who put up their hands and deserved to be given the opportunity to go to the World Cup. The decision was based on principle; we had to be fair to the team, the selection panel, our franchise system and players.
“At no point in the year that he had retired did he make himself available for selection. It was no option when I received the news on the day of the squad announcement, our squad was finalised and confirmed. AB is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, but above all else, we have to stay true to our morals and principles, there is no regret in the decision.”