On Sunday, host nation England will take on New Zealand in cricket’s ultimate showcase.

A quick thank you to England for booting Australia from the tournament, meaning we can now all rest easier knowing David Warner and Steve Smith won’t be holding that trophy aloft.

Also, come on New Zealand, we really don’t want to hear the Poms gloating for decades to come.

One man who made zero impact at the World Cup (at least on the field) is AB de Villiers, having retired from international cricket in 2018. Then, on the eve of the squad being announced, reports suggested that he tried to land a spot on the plane.

Or, did he? This morning AB released his first public statement since that story broke, and he’s clearly furious with how the story came out.

Sport24 with the statement below:

“Now the Proteas’ World Cup campaign is over, and the team cannot be distracted, I would like to respond to unjustified criticism of me during the tournament,” the statement read.

“I continue to be asked to comment on the disclosure, and distortion, of a private conversation that took place just before the squad was announced and, for the benefit of anyone who may have felt let down, would like to explain what happened.

“First, I announced my retirement from international cricket in May 2018 because I wanted to reduce my workload and spend more time with my wife and young sons. Some have insisted I was motivated purely by money. They are wrong. In truth, I have turned down many lucrative offers to play around the world, and have cut the time spent away from home each year from eight months to just over three months.

“Second, on the day of my announcement, I was privately asked whether ‘the door was still open’ for me to play in the World Cup. I was asked. I did not offer. I quickly replied ‘Yes’. With hindsight, maybe I should have just said no, but my natural instinct has always been to find a way to oblige whenever possible.

OK, so when he retired back in May 2018, and was asked by someone within the Cricket South Africa setup, he intimated that there was a chance he would still like to be considered for World Cup selection.

Moving on:

“During the weeks and months that followed, there was no formal contact between Cricket South Africa or the Proteas and me. I didn’t call them, and they didn’t call me. I had made my decision and the Proteas moved on, enjoying success under the expert guidance of coach Ottis Gibson and the outstanding captaincy of Faf du Plessis. Faf and I have been friends since we were at school together and, two days before the World Cup squad was announced, I contacted him for a chat.

AB contacted Faf two days before the squad was announced. Noted:

“I had been in decent form during the Indian Premier League and casually repeated what I had said when asked a year earlier, that I was available if required… but only if required. I made absolutely no demands at all.

Briefly, let’s touch on the Cricinfo report that broke the news last month, which contained this passage:

De Villiers is believed to have approached South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis, head coach Ottis Gibson and convenor of selectors Linda Zondi, expressing his desire to reverse his retirement, but was told that this would not be possible.

De Villiers today and Cricinfo’s report from June are saying similar things, but I guess it’s how AB said he was available that is under the spotlight.

His statement from earlier today continues:

“I certainly did not try to force my way into the World Cup squad on the eve of the tournament, and did not expect to be included. There was no burning issue from my side, and no sense of injustice.

“Then, out of the blue, on the evening after the Proteas lost to India, suffering a third successive World Cup defeat, elements of our private conversation were disclosed to the media, and distorted to cast me in the worst possible light.

“The story was not leaked by me, or anybody associated with me, or by Faf. Maybe someone wanted to deflect criticism. I don’t know.

“As a result, I was unfairly described as arrogant, selfish and indecisive but, with all humility, my conscience is clear. I retired for honest reasons and, when asked if I could be available for the World Cup, agreed to keep the door open.

“In the event, understandably, the team moved on. No problem. I am not angry with anybody. Now, at this stage of my life, I would like to continue spending time with my family and to play in selected T20 tournaments in SA and around the world.

He then goes on to say how proud he is to have played for, and captained, the Proteas, reiterating his support for the team “and the game that has shaped my life and provided me with so many lasting friendships and incredible opportunities”.

I will always have a soft spot for AB, but I’m not so sure that this statement really clears that much up. He admits that he kept the door open for World Cup selection when he retired, and he admits that he made contact with Faf du Plessis just before the squad was announced to say he “was available if required… but only if required”.

Well, when you’re the greatest ODI cricketer this country has ever produced, and perhaps the most talented cricketer of the modern era, you’re always required.

His World Cup numbers speak for themselves:

That being said, I completely understand his anger over the conversation being leaked to the press, because this could have all occurred behind closed doors with the general public none the wiser, and the team didn’t need this unwelcome distraction whilst on duty in England.

Perhaps the problem is that the Proteas, understandably, have never managed to fill the void left by AB’s retirement. You cannot replace a once in a generation genius, and at the peak of his powers, he would walk into any side in the world.

Did he throw a spanner into the works and, at the last minute, try walk into our side? Or was it just a matter of letting Faf know he stood by what he said back in May 2018, when hanging up his boots?

You can make your own call.

[sources:sport24&cricinfo]