Newly-appointed South Africa head coach opened up the possibility of having AB de Villiers’ take u-turn from retirement and play 2020 T20 World Cup and now veteran batsman Faf du Plessis has also given his nod to the idea.
When asked about the De Villiers’ potential return for the showpiece event in Australia next year, Du Plessis revealed that the talks had begun a few months ago. “Those conversations have been happening two or three months ago,” said Du Plessis reacting to Boucher’s statement.
De Villiers looked in fine touch in the Mzansi Super League and now would head to Australia to participate in the Big Bash League. But to play in the T20 World Cup, he would need to be a part of a few T20 International for South Africa too.
“It’s not a lot of time away from home,” Du Plessis said. “Obviously with a full campaign you have to spend a lot of time on the road. The T20 World Cup is not too far away and there isn’t a long list of T20 internationals over the season. Those conversations have taken place and they will take place before the next T20 international series starts.”
South Africa have found themselves in a bit of a turmoil since the 2019 ICC World Cup, with a number of senior players retiring. Although the squad has many talented youngsters, not many have managed to seize the opportunities as yet.
Du Plessis, after his team Paarl Rocks’ thumping 8-wicket win over Tshwane Spartans in the Mzansi Super League final said that his and South Africa’s focus need to be on the forthcoming Test series against England which will begin with the first match in Centurion on December 26.
“Obviously Test cricket is the most important thing right now but T20 cricket is a different beast,” said Du Plessis.
The talks of De Villiers’ return had also taken place ahead of the 50-over World Cup in England & Wales but the whole subject led to a huge controversy, especially in lieu of South Africa’s poor show in the tournament.
ABD had last played international cricket in a Test series against Australia in 2017 and has since only been playing T20 cricket for franchise leagues all across the globe.
