This Day that year: AB de Villiers announced international retirement
On 23rd May 2018, the best entertainers, AB de
Villiers shocked the world as he decided to retire from international cricket. In
a video, he said that he was not willing to play cricket anymore and wanted to
give youngsters a chance.
Known as a 360-degree player, AB de Villiers produced magical
knocks in the limited-overs format. He holds the record of the fastest fifty and
century in One-day international format. His fastest fifty came against West
Indies at Johannesburg on 18th January 2015. During that knock, he
came in the 39th over and plundered the West Indies bowlers to all
park of the ground. In the same match, de Villiers smashed a century off 31 balls
and broke the record of the fastest century which was previously held by Corey
Anderson. South Africa failed to win any ICC event at the senior level. Under the
captaincy of de Villiers in 2015, The Proteas lost in the semi-finals to New
Zealand. He played his last ICC tournament was against India in the Champions
Trophy 2017.
De Villiers made his ODI debut on 2nd February 2005
against England at Bloemfontein. He played a total of 228 ODI matches (218
innings) and scored 9577 runs. His career-best score in ODI format was 176 with
an amazing average of 53.50. The entertainer from South Africa 50 played breath-taking
knocks with innovative strokes against the pacers and spinners. His last match in
South African colors were against India in the last ODI match played at
Centurion on 16th February 2018. In his ODI career, he hit 25 centuries
and 53 half-centuries.
With the likes of Dale Steyn, Graeme Smith, Morne Morkel in
the side, the South African side was the best visiting side in Test matches. He made
his Test debut against England on 17th December 2004 at Port Elizabeth.
De Villiers played a total of 114 matches (191 innings) and scored 8765 runs.
His career-best score in Test matches was 278* with an average of 50.66. In his Test career, de Villiers scored 22
centuries and 46 half-centuries. He featured in the 4 match Test series against
Australia. During his last Test match at Johannesburg from 30th
March to 3rd April, de Villiers made 69 and 6. He was in great form
during the Test series.
He was a special player in the T20I format with his
innovative stroke play. De Villiers made his T20I debut for South Africa on 24th
February 2006 against Australia at Johannesburg. Overall, he played a total of 78 matches (75
innings) with 1672 runs. His career-best score was 79* at a strike rate of
135.16.
De Villiers is being missed by every cricket fan because of
his ability to create a panic among the bowlers especially in the limited-overs
format.
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| AB de Villiers announced retirement from international cricket on 23rd May 2018 |
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