South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has made it clear that talks are going on to get swashbuckling batsman AB de Villiers back into international cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia next year.
“Those conversations have been happening two or three months ago,” said Du Plessis on Monday after leading his team Paarl Rocks to an eight-wicket victory over Tshwane Spartans in the Mzansi Super League final. He was responding to a comment by new South African head coach Mark Boucher that he would welcome having De Villiers in his team.
“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,” Du Plessis added.
De Villiers retired from international cricket in 2017 after the Test series against Australia. It was reported earlier this year that he had expressed his wish to return to the team ahead of the 2019 ICC World Cup, just before the South Africa squad was announced, but the offer was reportedly rejected by the team management. De Villiers later clarified that he did not demand to be included, but was asked if he would be open to it, to which he had responded positively.
Du Plessis added that his focus at the moment was on preparing for a Test series at home against England, starting on December 26. South Africa will play three T20 internationals against England and another three against Australia in February.
The South African skipper also welcomed the changes that have taken place in South African cricket recently―former captain Graeme Smith was appointed Cricket South Africa's acting director and Boucher was made head coach.
(with inputs from agencies)
