AB de Villiers happy to be back in the mix, looks forward to playing Tests

The Proteas fans have been delighted not only because of the hammering their team has provided to the visiting Bangladesh team but also on the return of their prolific star AB de Villiers. He didn’t waste time as he announced his comeback to international cricket in style with a magnificent knock.

In what was a splendour innings of 176 runs from just 104 balls, with 15 boundaries and 7 sixes, he toppled the opposition bowlers in a devastating way. It just provided the South African team with a pinch of what they had been missing for some time now.

It’s just nice to contribute

AB de Villiers was the obvious choice when it came to the man of the match award. His stormy innings propelled the South African total to a massive 353 runs. He sounded really confident when asked about the time he spent at the crease.

“I’m hitting the ball as well as ever and it felt that way out there, I could feel the ball coming off really well,’ he told reporters. ‘It’s just nice to contribute.”

It’s great to be back

Regarded as ‘SUPERMAN’ by some of his fans, AB de Villiers had taken a break from international cricket for a prolonged phase. However, it was last month when he made himself available for selection.

“I just needed a couple of months away with the family, which I got,” he said.

De Villiers gradually went on to admit that inspite of being in touch with his teammates, he missed being in action all the time.

“I watched all the games the guys played and I’ve been in contact with them. It felt like I never really left, but I did miss being on the park and playing.”

Eventually, he was happy to back in the mix and to be able to contribute for the team.

“It’s great to be back. It’s a huge privilege to play for my team and my country. For the last few months, I’ve been working really hard on my game and all I wanted to do was get back into the side.”

I’m going to have to work my way back into the test team

In the past, there were rumors surrounding AB de Villiers retiring from the longer format of the game in order to focus in limited overs cricket. Seems like ABD has ruled out that notion. However he did admit, he doesn’t expect to be selected straight away.

“If selected, I will be there but I can’t accept that I am going to be in the squad”, he said. “I have been out of the squad for a while and guys that have come in have done well.”

“You don’t just walk into the test team. I am going to have to work my way back. I am prepared to do the hard work.”

South Africa have a long test season approaching with back to back series against India and Australia early next year. They’re also scheduled to play a Boxing Day Test match with Zimbabwe.