South African talisman AB de Villiers has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket, saying he is tired and wants to step out while still at the top.
“After 114 test matches, 228 one day internationals and 78 T20 internationals it is time for others to take over. I’ve had my turn and to be honest I’m tired,” he said in a Twitter video and a statement on Wednesday.
“This is a tough decision, I have thought long and hard about it and I’d like to retire while still playing decent cricket. After the fantastic series wins against India and Australia, now feels like the right time to step aside.
“It would not be right for me to pick and choose where, when and in what format I play for the Proteas. For me, in the green and gold, it must be everything or nothing,” he added.
The 34-year-old, whose swashbuckling batting style and razor sharp fielding has made him one of the sport’s leading lights, only returned to Test cricket in December after a lengthy hiatus where he focused on the limited overs formats of the game.
“It’s not about earning more somewhere else, it’s about running out of gas and feeling that it is the right time to move on,” he said.
“Everything comes to an end. To the cricket fans around South Africa and the world, thank you for your kindness and generosity, and today, for your understanding.
“I have no plans to play overseas, in fact, I hope I can continue to be available for the Titans in domestic cricket. I will continue to be the biggest supporter of (captain) Faf du Plessis and the Proteas.”
De Villiers retires with a Test average of 50.66 and as the fourth-highest scorer for South Africa with 8765 runs. He made 22 Test centuries.
In ODI cricket, he holds the records for the fastest 50 (16 balls), 100 (31 balls) and 150 (64 balls).
“AB is one of the all-time greats of South African cricket who has thrilled spectators around the world with his sheer brilliance, coupled to his ability to innovate and take modern day batting in all three formats but particularly in the white ball ones to new levels,” said Cricket South Africa president Chris Nenzani.
DTM
Guest
Beats my CV - and he's better looking than me too!
Jackpott
Guest
He should have retired at the end of the world cup.
dan ced
Guest
My man-crush, has been crushed. His best innings had me in awe. I kinda wanted him to win the next world cup, even if he beat the aussies in the process. I guess we'll still see him in T20 leagues, I look forward to it.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Not too sure about the "all time" element but a great player just the same. His test average is very good (50) and his T20 average is average at best at 26. Maybe an "all time great" in ODI's with an average of 53.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
I've never seen a batsman who had a bigger range of gears - from 31-ball tons to stonewalling for hours on end to save Tests. Remarkable cricketer.
sean
Guest
He was atalented all-round sportsman and an outstanding tennis player but it's not even vaguely true.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Not sure if all this is true. It was a copy and paste from another source... Either way he’s still super talented.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
AB de Villiers was shortlisted for South Africa's junior national hockey and football team, captain of South Africa's junior national rugby team, holds six South African school swimming records and the fastest 100m time in South Africa's junior athletics. He was also U19 national badminton champion, a member of South Africa's junior Davis Cup tennis team and received a medal from Nelson Mandela for a science project. He scored 20,014 runs in international cricket with 47 centuries and 109 fifties, and holds the record for the world's fastest ODI 50, 100 and 150, and the fastest Test century ever by a South African. He also has a golf handicap of scratch. What a talented individual!
Paul
Roar Guru
I think your logic is flawed when it comes to SA's chances of winning the World Cup. He's decided he won't get through the next 12 months, so has done SA cricket a favour and given them plenty of notice to find replacements. He's hardly played an ODI for SA in 18 months, yet they're still 3rd behind England & India in the rankings. There's every chance AB will be commentating when SA head onto the field for the World Cup final, against Australia next year!
Nudge
Guest
I’d doubt that very much Brasstax. He retired because he was cooked. Besides any team with AB in it would always be a chance to win a World Cup
Brasstax
Guest
Hats off to AB... on pure talent the best batsman over the past 15 years across formats. A bit strange the decision though because last October he said he was fresh and reinvigorated to play all formats. I am sure it was planned well in advance for him to play the 2 marquee series at home against India and Australia to maximize their winning chances. In fact he was the only difference between India and SA in that series and without a couple of his crucial fifties India would have won the series. With no major test series for the proteas over the next 18 months, I expect far and Amla to follow suit at least in test cricket. AB's retirement with just 12 months to go for the WC indicates that he clearly does not back his team to lift the cup which is pretty damning. One would think he would have definitely hung around till the WC if he believed there was any chance of winning it this time.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
One of the opposition batsmen who you really loved to watch bat even though you knew he would punish you. Seemed to be able to handle difficult batting conditions when all around him were struggling. And as others have said seemed to be a genuinely nice bloke on the field. Great career - well played AB.
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
He may like to continue to play IPL and other T20 tournaments to earn money.
jameswm
Guest
He scored an ODI 150 in 64 balls? Crikey. Maybe better than the 31-ball 100.
JustinB
Guest
Well played AB. A fantastic player and seemed like a genuine nice guy too. One of SA's best, that's for sure.
Tom Simon
Roar Pro
An unbelievable player in all three formats. Probably one of the first to adapt his game to suit tests, odi and t20 cricket. Didn't matter what the conditions AB always found a way to make runs, a mark of a great player.. Is he available now between December-February? Every Big Bash franchise should be throwing their entire cheque book at him! Best player in the world, and would have fans flooding through the gates!
Rissole
Guest
Very sad to see him go. I would get out of bed and turn on the TV when knew he was batting.
Paul
Roar Guru
It's good to see a player as good as AB going out of the game on his terms, rather than being forced out. An outstanding batsman for SA and great to watch when he got going. He'll be badly missed in that SA middle order, in all forms of the game
Clyde
Guest
He was a great player and had a fantastic career. He will be remembered as one of the all time greats.