South African keeper-batsman AB De Villiers has become one of the best players in cricket, if not the best.
As the Test and ODI number one ranked batsman in the world, maybe we should remember the South African up there as one of the best South Africa batsman up there with Kallis, Smith, Gibbs and Kirsten.
From debuting in Port Elizabeth back in 2005, De Villiers has taken time to become the wonderful player he now is. As a batsman in the South African team for many years he was an adventurous, with his solid technique helping him working the ball to all parts of the field.
Since the end of Boucher’s career, he has taken on the keeping role and become an even better player for it.
Since taking on the gloves, in the nineteen Test matches he had played before this current Test, he averaged 57 with the bat compared to 50 before he had the keeping duties.
In the one-day game he has been just as good. With 16 centuries over his ten-year career in the limited overs format, he averages just under 50 and is a sparkling middle order player who can bat in all situations.
This has been proven throughout his career as he has gone from a solid opener to a classy middle order batsman.
In the last 11 Tests AB has played, he has made five centuries and six half centuries in a magnificent patch of form for the Proteas.
With 18 centuries in his career at an average of 52.01, De Villiers has pushed through all the challenges he has faced throughout his career and become a better player for it.
Early in his test career he really struggled to cement his spot in the national side, before breaking through for his first century against England in 2005.
In 2006 and 2007 De Villiers struggled for runs in the Test arena. He didn’t score a century during this period and just hanged out to his spot in the team due to his one day record.
Against Australia he has improved significantly. After struggling against Australia in his first two series, in both countries he has averaged over 50 in the last three series and already starting very well in this current encounter.
His 91 on the third day of the first Test against the Aussies was a superb effort full of leadership, class and stroke-making at it’s very best.
Coming in at a crucial time for the Proteas at 3/22, his persistence on the second evening followed by his counter attack on the third morning was an example of how to play the Australian attack and how to play under severe pressure.
De Villiers is now the elite batsmen in the world, backed up by the stats and by the way in which he goes about his cricket. AB de Villiers is full of class.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
Sunil Narine could not believe what he'd done. The Kolkata Knight Riders batter was castled first ball after shouldering arms to Mumbai Indians pacer…
James Anderson's record-breaking international cricket career will end this northern summer, following crunch talks with England head coach Brendon McCullum. Anderson announced on Saturday…
Through electric bowling, dashing batting and acrobatic fielding the West Indies made themselves one of the most popular teams throughout history.
After posting 92 with the bat, the RCB star was having an equally brilliant day in the field.
The RCB opener posted a man-of-the-match 92 off 47, as his side defeated Punjab Kings by 60 runs.
The opener scored a man-of-the-match 89 off 30, in the 10-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants that came off just 9.4 overs.
