AB de Villiers tried his luck on the eve of the Proteas’ squad announcement for this year’s World Cup.
Cricket South Africa on Thursday confirmed that De Villiers approached them to be included in the SA squad for the tournament 24 hours before it was announced.
And despite fans still feeling they should have said “yes”, with 76 percent of the 537 readers who took part in an online poll on the Daily Voice’s Facebook page batting for AB, convenor of the national selection panel Linda Zondi says there was no way this was going to happen.
Zondi explains: “I pleaded with AB de Villiers not to retire in 2018.
STANDING FIRM: CSA CEO Linda Zondi. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/Backpagepix.
“Although there was a perception that he was picking and choosing when to play - which was not true - I did give him the option to plan and monitor his season to get him to the World Cup fresh and in a good space.
“We made it clear that he would have to play during the home tours against Sri Lanka and Pakistan to be considered for selection, instead he signed to play in the Pakistan and Bangladesh Premier Leagues.
“He turned down the offer and said he was at peace with his decision to retire.
“For Faf du Plessis and Ottis Gibson to share AB’s desire to be included in the squad on the day we announced our World Cup squad on April 18th was a shock to all of us.
“AB left a big vacuum when he retired, we had a year to find players at franchise level to fill the gap.
“We had players who put in the hard work, who put up their hands and deserved to be given the opportunity to go to the World Cup.
#CSAnews CSA National Selection Panel Convenor, Linda Zondi, addresses the media reports regarding AB de Villiers https://t.co/d1m8EGCkYS pic.twitter.com/YekcK7RliL
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) June 6, 2019
“The decision was based on principle; we had to be fair to the team, the selection panel, our franchise system and players.
“At no point in the year that he had retired did he make himself available for selection.
“It was no option when I received the news on the day of the squad announcement, our squad was finalised and confirmed.
“AB is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, but above all else, we have to stay true to our morals and principles, there is no regret in the decision.”
The announcement had social media in an uproar, some backing Cricket South Africa while others condemned their response:
I would say bravo to Linda Zondi. ABD retired and played T20 all over the world and then decided to turn up for the World Cup taking another person's spot. Contrary to what he said, he does want his bread buttered on both sides. Well done to the selection panel.
— Varun (@iamsg_rockstar) June 6, 2019 Bring AB back please haibo.— simphiwe Ngcobo (@simphiwemathwes) June 6, 2019 Please accept ABDEVILLIERS REQUEST... PLEASE PLEASE 🙏😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭— NIRMAL ABD 23 17 (@NIRMALABD23171) June 6, 2019 Not we want ABD South Africa cricket team need ABD— Akhil stalin (@akhilstalin2) June 6, 2019 You the one who walked away to play t20 without knowing the importance of iccworldcup. Now why you begging a comeback?— Randwick (@rumeshb) June 7, 2019 [email protected]