AB de Villiers didn't want to come ahead of other players already part of the system, reveals Mark Boucher
After it was made clear that AB de Villiers won't come out of his retirement, Mark Boucher revealed that AB did so because he didn't want to come ahead of players who are already part of the system. De Villiers announced his retirement in 2018, and CSA, on Monday, confirmed that it won't change.
In what came as a heartbreaking news for most of the cricket fans, CSA made it clear that AB de Villiers won't be donning the South African jersey ever again, with him remaining permnanently retired. Since last year, AB de Villiers has constantly been expressing his desire to feature for South Africa, especially in the T20 World Cup. The appointment of his former teammate and good friend Mark Boucher as the head coach had apparently made it easier to chalk out his integration with the senior side. And even during this IPL, the veteran insisted that he was eager to return to the international scene. But, that was not to be as CSA announced that nothing of that sort would be happening, with the board confirming that de Villiers will remain permanently retired.
Now, it has been revealed by South African head coach Mark Boucher that the veteran Proteas batsman didn't want to eat up anyone's place in the side after they have done the hard yards and been part of the system all the while when the cricketer was deliberating over his decision. Apparently, it didn't go well with the right-hander and that’s why he ultimately decided against returning back to the fold. With this, Boucher also made it clear that AB no longer is in the mix of things now.
"AB has his reasons, which I respect. Unfortunately, he’s no longer in the mix. I say unfortunately because I think we all agree that he’s still one of the best – if not the best – T20 players in world cricket. But he alluded to being concerned about coming in ahead of other players who have been a part of the system. I don’t think it sat well with him, which I understand," Boucher told The Citizen, reported HT.
As much as Boucher wanted de Villiers to return, the former Proteas gloveman felt that it was time for South African cricket to move past the ABD episode.
"As a coach I needed to try and get our best players, for the team and the environment. AB is an energy-booster in any environment, but I respect his reasoning. It was worth a go, but now let’s move forward," Boucher pointed out.
Get updates! Follow us on
0
0
0
0
0
0
Comments
Sign up or log in to your account to leave comments and reactions
0 Comments