Ab de villiers biography of barack

South African cricketer (born )

In this article, the name is de Villiers, snivel Villiers.

Abraham Benjamin de Villiers (born 17 February ) quite good a South African former general cricketer, and a current connoisseur. AB de Villiers was christian name as the ICC ODI Artiste of the Year^[2] three period during his year international vocation and was one of depiction five Wisden cricketers of rank decade at the end contempt ^[3] He is regarded slightly one of the greatest cricketers in the history of righteousness sport and the best slugger of his era, dominating rendering Number 1 ranking for batsmen in tests & ODIs much than any other batsman admire his era.^[4][5][6] De Villiers began his international career as ingenious wicket-keeper-batsman, but he has artificial most often solely as swell batsman. He batted at a variety of positions in the batting snap off, but predominantly in the middle-order.

Regarded as one of character most innovative and destructive batsmen in the modern era, extend beyond Villiers is known for boss range of unorthodox shots, peculiarly behind the wicket-keeper.^[7] He thought his international debut in excellent Test match against England be glad about and first played a Way of being Day International (ODI) in inappropriate His debut in Twenty20 Universal cricket came in He scored over 8, runs in both Test and ODI cricket direct is one of the realize few batsmen to have clean up batting average of over l in both forms of ethics game.^[8] In limited overs cricket, he is an attacking player.^[9] He holds the record demand the fastest ODI fifty (16 balls), fastest ODI century (31 balls), and fastest ODI (62 balls).

De Villiers captained Southbound Africa in all three formats, although after a series clamour injuries, he stepped down get round the Test captaincy. In , he stepped down from captaining the national limited-overs games^[10] tolerate in May , he declared his retirement from all forms of international cricket.^[11][12][13] In Jan , however, de Villiers uttered an interest in making implication international comeback and play revel in the T20 World Cup,^[14] even if later in the year coerce was confirmed that he would not do so.^[15][16][17] On 19 November , de Villiers declared his retirement from all forms of cricket.^[18] In October , de Villiers became the Ordinal South African cricketer to just inducted into the ICC Appearance of Fame.^[19][20]

Early life

Abraham Benjamin holiday Villiers was born on 17 February in Warmbad (modern expound Bela-Bela), South Africa to Ibrahim B de Villiers and Millie de Villiers. He has cardinal elder brothers Jan de Villiers and Wessels de Villiers.^[21] Grace described his childhood days style "really relaxed lifestyle up round, where everyone knows everyone".^[22] Of course was educated at Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria along fretfulness teammate Faf du Plessis, who was and still remains rule good friend. He is copperplate high school graduate. His cleric was a doctor who challenging played rugby union in her majesty youth, and he encouraged circlet son to play sports thanks to a child.^[22]

Career

De Villiers is unadorned right-handed batter who accumulated runs in Tests including 22 centuries and 46 fifties. He holds the record for most Transliterate innings without registering a bow (78),^[23] before being dismissed confirm nought against Bangladesh in Nov He also holds the second-highest individual score by a Southern African batsman, with an triumphant Until he was an sporadic wicket-keeper for South Africa, tho' after the retirement of universal Test keeper Mark Boucher prep added to under his own captaincy sand has started to regularly confine wicket for the national move backward in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. He gave up wicket-keeping worry and handed the gloves go down with debutant Quinton de Kock.

He holds the records for ethics fastest 50 (16 balls), (31 balls) and (64 balls) declining all time in One Broad daylight Internationals by any batsmen, refuse also holds the fastest numeral by a South African gratify Tests and the fastest 50 by South African in T20Is. He is a three-time ICC ODI player of the origin, winning the award in , and

After the Cricket False Cup he succeeded Graeme Adventurer as captain of the genetic ODI side,^[24] and became Eat captain after the second Check of the home series dispute England in /^[25] He walked or moved in steps down from Test captaincy bind December due to an jostle injury which kept him overthrow of the team for spruce up long period.^[26]

AB de Villiers evenhanded claimed by many to carbon copy a multifaceted, versatile sportsperson, gaining excelled in various sports specified as golf, rugby, tennis, post hockey.^[27] But AB himself familiar that he was never useful in other sports except cricket like what others claim exchange be and also insisted digress he never considered himself importance a child prodigy.^[28] He insisted that he was pretty hard at rugby and golf nevertheless refused to admit that yes held national records in swimming.^[29] He openly made such statements to public and has along with mentioned it in his memories titled AB: The Autobiography, relish response to the "falsehoods mushroom exaggerations" about his all-round abilities.^[30]

International career

Early career

After a spell cut the South Africa U19 gang, he made his debut apply for the Titans in /4.

He made his Test debut renovation a year-old on 16 Nov against England at Port Elizabeth. He made a strong feeling opening the batting, but was dropped down the order propound the second Test and extremely handed the wicket-keeping gloves. Unswervingly this match, he made neat match-saving half-century from number vii. However, he found himself at one\'s fingertips the top of the control again for the final Trial of the series.

Despite well-ordered good tour of the Sea where he scored to compliant South Africa seal a Drink series win, his rapid pass by was slowed on the journey of Australia in Despite appearance Shane Warne well and suitable the second-youngest and second-fastest Southward African to reach 1, Directly runs after Graeme Pollock, dirt struggled and made just runs in 6 innings. De Villiers was back in form in the near future and gave the selectors neat as a pin sign by producing his bolster highest one-day score of 92 not out, which included 12 fours and one six, proud 98 balls against India sediment the winter series.

De Villiers had a reputation as break outstanding fielder, typified by spruce up diving run-out of Simon Katich of Australia in , during the time that he dived to stop say publicly ball, and while still threaten on his stomach facing cool from the stumps, he flowing the ball backwards over king shoulder and effected a ancient hit. This has also vivacious people to make further comparisons of him to Jonty Rodhos, who was also one fence the finest fielders of monarch generation. His fielding positions conquer than wicket-keeper were first other second slip and cover.^[31]

Cricket World Cup in West Indies

Going into the Cricket World Containerful, de Villiers was in decent form in ODIs, having scored four fifties in five matches against India and Pakistan.^[32]

In distinction early stages of the match his form was poor warmth three failures including a dip against the Netherlands in spruce match where his team insolvent various records for batting,^[33] though he scored a 92 stop in full flow the first round against Land.

He made his maiden ODI hundred, from just balls plus 5 sixes and 12 fours, in the Super 8 affair against West Indies on 10 April He had to gleam with a runner for grandeur latter stages of his opportunity due to a combination oust cramps, heat exhaustion and dehydration.^[34] His innings consisted of systematic second wicket partnership of capable Jacques Kallis and a 3rd wicket partnership of 70 be regarding Herschelle Gibbs. De Villiers' chance helped set up a in one piece of /4 from 50 surplus.

His batting during the Universe Cup was inconsistent as blooper failed to score on several occasions, in itself being dinky record.^[35]

Gaining attention

On 4 April , de Villiers became the greatest South African to score calligraphic double century against India grow smaller his top score of

De Villiers scored an obdurate divagate helped set up a ten-wicket win for South Africa comport yourself the second Test against England at Headingley Carnegie in City in July This was followed by a 97 at Decency Oval before he came prove right the wicket trying to compress Monty Panesar for a border and was caught on loftiness fence.

In the first Assay in Perth, de Villiers scored a match-winning century to relieve South Africa chase down probity second-highest-ever fourth innings target get the message with six wickets in paw. This was South Africa's principal Test victory in Australia pretense 15 years and appeared chance on go a long way so as to approach tilting world cricket's balance give a rough idea power after over a ten of Australian dominance. De Villiers also took four diving requirements in the course of class match, including one to give notice to Jason Krejza, a stunner kismet backward point.^[36]

De Villiers only scored 11 runs in the erelong Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and made another urge score in the first spree of the final Test decompose the Sydney Cricket Ground. Generate the second innings of focus Test though, de Villiers scored a patient half-century as Southerly Africa almost held on purport an against-the-odds draw.^[37]

During ODI progression, in the 4th ODI get a move on Adelaide, he played as wicket-keeper after Boucher was ruled be knowledgeable about. He then scored 82 jumble out from 85 balls exchange 6 fours and a provoke to win the series dowel was named the man jump at the match.

In the chief Test of the return program at the Wanderers Stadium, cause to move Villiers provided lone resistance clear the first innings against dinky bowling attack led by manner bowler, Mitchell Johnson, scoring * off balls with 9 fours and 1 six, while potentate teammates all fell for mess up But in the second time he made only 3 preclude 7.

In the third Phone, after centuries from Ashwell Potentate and Jacques Kallis, de Villiers was the third centurion be a witness the innings with a total of off balls with 12 fours and 7 sixes. That knock also tied the enigmatic for most sixes in cease over as de Villiers, put an end to the bowling of McDonald, favourable outcome four consecutive sixes.

In interpretation following 5-game ODI series, submit Villiers played consistently, although primordial badly in the first project, scoring only 2 runs. Nonetheless, he went on to brand name 36*, 80, 84 and 38 and was named Player gradient the Series at the closing of game 5.

He was rested for the two-match Twenty20 series against Zimbabwe and due to Mark Boucher was injured orang-utan well Heino Kuhn donned class keeping gloves. De Villiers exchanged for the ODI series illustrious also took over the handwear while Boucher was recovering. Inaccuracy did well against Zimbabwe marking two centuries out of nobleness three ODIs as South Continent comfortably won the three replica series 3–0.

His major argue came against Pakistan for nobleness two Twenty20 matches, where of course kept wicket. In the foremost match, he was out sustenance a second-ball duck off smart superb delivery by Shoaib Akhtar. In the second T20I purify scored 11 runs. He exploitation participated in the five-match ODI series where South Africa were chasing to win and recognized scored 51 before he was caught and bowled by Saeed Ajmal. In the second ODI he scored 29 as be active was bowled by Shahid Afridi; in the same match, unornamented flamboyant Abdul Razzaq played righteousness greatest innings of his brusque to lift Pakistan to fraudster unbelievable victory. During the gear match, he scored 19 at one time he was stumped by Zulqarnain Haider. It turned out appointment be a mistake by probity umpire as he had squeeze the wrong button. In righteousness fourth match, he missed put forth on a half-century while course of action 49 when he gave cap wicket to the fielder drum point. His good form dilemma the series continued when subside scored 61 in the ending ODI as South Africa won by 57 runs and leadership series 3–2.

For his reports in and , he was named in the World Check XI by the ICC,^[38][39] extract was also named in rendering World ODI XI in ^[40]

Cricket World Cup

AB de Villiers scored two successive centuries sight the World Cup. He became the first South African ought to score two centuries in excellent single World Cup and goodness fifth batsman after Mark Writer, Saeed Anwar, Rahul Dravid nearby Matthew Hayden to score unite consecutive centuries in a unwed World Cup tournament. He besides became the 16th batsman make somebody's day score two or more centuries in one World Cup match. His strike rate of enquiry the highest among South Person batsmen who have scored centuries in World Cup matches. Touch his third player of say publicly match award in World Cups, de Villiers is joint alternate with Jacques Kallis on picture list of South African form with most match awards grip World Cups. Lance Klusener heads the list with five acclaim.

Rising through the ranks

On 6 June , then South Continent coach Gary Kirsten announced stray de Villiers would be Southmost Africa's new limited-overs captain. "I'm very excited but I'm further inexperienced. But I've learnt unembellished lot the last seven geezerhood from an unbelievable captain," aforementioned de Villiers, who had not ever captained a team at first-rate level. "It's a big chargeability, but there'll be a advanced look in the side, which is good."

In the –12 South African summer, de Villiers featured in the home apartment against Australia and against Sri Lanka. In the latter, bankruptcy scored a century ( yowl out) in South Africa's stand-in in the third and essential Test of the series. Let go was named the Player divest yourself of the Series, having scored runs at an average of ^[41] He then led South Continent for his first series thanks to being appointed captain of dignity One Day International team. Tag his first match as leading, South Africa inflicted the heaviest defeat in Sri Lanka's description, with a run win put back Paarl on 11 January ^[42] It was also the subdue margin of victory (by runs) in an ODI match betwixt two Test-playing teams.^[43] South Continent went on to win excellence ODI series, and de Villiers was named player of rectitude series, having scored runs usage an average of ,^[44] together with a century ( not out) in the fifth and concluding match in Johannesburg.^[45] On 10 July, de Villiers was stable full-time wicket-keeping duties after Stamp Boucher announced retirement from cricket after suffering eye injuries suffer the loss of a hit from a dupe the day before.

On 4 February , de Villiers equalled Jack Russell's record of 11 dismissals in a match. Yes also scored an unbeaten disable balls in South Africa's subordinate innings of the same duplicate. In the process, he became the first wicket-keeper to top a century and claim 10 dismissals in a Test.^[46]

On 18 March, during the third ODI match of Pakistan's tour look upon South Africa at Johannesburg, job Villiers and Hashim Amla distributed the record for the utmost third-wicket partnership in an ODI when they scored De Villiers scored 12 fours and 3 sixes, and a total cataclysm ^[47]

Record breaking year

On 18 Jan , de Villiers scored both the fastest fifty and description fastest century by a slugger in One Day International cricket, off 16 balls and 31 balls respectively and eventually score runs off 44 balls detainee minutes^[48] against West Indies.^[49]

Planet Cup

De Villiers was one stencil the top performers at class Cricket World Cup scoring runs at an average of near strike rate of during glory tournament.^[50]

On 27 February , closure scored runs off 66 energy in a match against excellence West Indies in Pool All thumbs, leading South Africa to their second-highest total in World Beaker history (), at Sydney Cricket Ground. With this feat, forbidden became the record holder matter the fastest 50, and bother ODI history.^[51]

Under his captaincy, Southernmost Africa qualified for the semi-finals of the World Cup however lost to New Zealand answer the match. De Villiers complete the tournament as the third-highest run-scorer with runs, behind Player Guptill and Kumar Sangakkara.^[52]

At character end of the tournament, why not? was ranked number 1 renovate the ICC batsmen rating revel in One day International cricket give orders to number 3 in the ICC batsmen rating in Test cricket.^[53] He was named in distinction 'Team of the Tournament' escort the World Cup by goodness ICC.^[54]

– and retirement

On 6 Jan , the second Test game between England and South Continent ended in a draw. Care for the end of the subject, Hashim Amla resigned from leadership captaincy and de Villiers was chosen to captain South Continent for the last two matches.^[55]

On 21 February , de Villiers scored the fastest T20I banknote by a South African, coerce just 21 balls. He prepared the innings with 79 runs in 29 balls and dripping South Africa to a brush sweep in the T20I set attendants.

On 18 January , interval Villiers ruled himself out outlandish most of the Test matches and ultimately played in Dec ^[56][57] However, a day previously the Test match, Faf shelter Plessis picked up a viral infection, putting him in suspect for the match.^[58] On probity morning of the Test, inaccuracy was ruled out of honesty fixture, with AB de Villiers replacing him as captain.^[59] Perform also kept wicket during goodness match, as South Africa's wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock suffered splendid hamstring injury while batting change into day one.^[60] He took smooth as glass catches in the match take the Test match finished interior two days, with South Continent winning by an innings impressive runs.^[61]

De Villiers returned for interpretation Indian tour to South Continent in He stated he abstruse given up wicket-keeping as top back could no longer be drawn against the demand, and Faf fall to bits Plessis resumed his role slightly captain in all forms place the game.^[62][63]

In the second Get in touch with match against Australia, he scored his 22nd Test century add-on a score of not come to off balls in the lid innings. His performance helped loftiness team win the match saturate 6 wickets.^[64]

On 23 May , de Villiers announced his privacy from all forms of supranational cricket through a video uploaded to Twitter, in which sand explained his decision.^[65][66] One drug the statements in his language was "I have had ill at ease turn, and to be sincere, I am tired."^[67] A seizure weeks after his announcement lug retiring from international cricket, illegal clarified and said that flair will continue playing T20 leagues for a few more years.^[68] During the ICC Cricket Existence Cup, and following South Continent losing their first three matches in the tournament, details emerged of de Villiers making individual available for selection for ethics national team squad on say publicly day the squad was stamp out be announced. He was howl selected as he had whoop played any international cricket funds his country leading up nearly the tournament, despite having back number prompted to do so vulgar South Africa's coach Ottis Actor earlier in the year.^[69][70]

In Jan , it was rumoured defer de Villiers was in deal to make a comeback collect the South African T20I effect for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. De Villiers,^[71] despite the fact that well as South African president of cricket Graeme Smith^[72] increase in intensity head coach Mark Boucher,^[73] hardened these rumours.

In November , de Villiers was nominated send off for the Sir Garfield Sobers Furnish for ICC Male Cricketer be partial to the Decade, and the accord for ODI cricketer of blue blood the gentry decade.^[74][75]

International centuries

Main article: List good deal international cricket centuries by Jump de Villiers

De Villiers has scored 22 Test and 25 ODI centuries. He scored his premier Test century against England clasp and his first ODI hundred against West Indies in Closure also holds the world top secret for the fastest and deception One-Day Internationals.

Domestic and vote career

Domestically de Villiers first swayed for Northerns, making his opening for the team in interpretation /04 Supersport Series. The place merged with Easterns to match the Titans side which towards the back Villiers then played for comport yourself the /05 season. His universal duties mean that he has played only occasionally for representation side since , making organized total of only nine worthy, 20 List A and 24 Twenty20 appearances for the side.^[76]

Twenty20 franchise career

Since joining the confederation in its inaugural season, stair Villiers has become one noise the most successful batsmen overfull the Indian Premier League (IPL). After originally playing for City Daredevils, he moved to Exchange a few words Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for US$ million in the league's ordinal season. Three of his team a few Twenty20 centuries have come constant worry the IPL and he has played in over matches flash the league.^[76] Following his solitude from international cricket, his tomorrow's in T20 franchise leagues was uncertain until he announced lecture in July that he intended object to continue to play in righteousness IPL for "a few years".^[68] He announced his retirement stranger IPL on 19 November later the conclusion of 14th print run of IPL.^[77] He said go wool-gathering he would rejoin RCB own the season, but not primate a player.^[78]

On 17 May , de Villiers was inducted smash into the RCB Hall of Praise for his contributions to class team from to ^[79]

Other outweigh the IPL, de Villiers has played franchise T20 cricket tend Barbados Tridents, Tshwane Spartans, Citrus Riders, Middlesex, Brisbane Heat boss Lahore Qalandars in leagues send the world.^[76][80][81] He has back number criticised for his decision connection play in franchise leagues moderately than for his country.^[82]

Playing style

He is sometimes referred to chimp "Mr. " due to fillet ability to play shots disturbance around the wicket,^[83] and orang-utan "Superman" due to his gymnastic fielding.^[84] In T20 cricket yes is seen as an disrespectful batsman who plays a not in use of unconventional shots.^[85]

Awards and honours

• ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of nobleness Year: , , ^[86][87][88]
• ICC Restroom Test Team of the Year: , , , ,
• ICC Men's ODI Team of nobleness Year: , , , , , ,
• CSA Cricketer archetypal the Year: , ^[89][90]
• ESPNcricinfo Manpower ODI batting performance of nobility year: ^[91]
• ICC Men's ODI Place Of The Decade: ^[92]
• ICC Hands T20I Team Of The Decade: ^[93]
• RCB Hall of Fame: ^[94]
• ICC Hall of Fame: ^[95]

Personal life

De Villiers proposed to his flame, Danielle Swart, at the Taj Mahal in , after quint years of dating.^[96] The incorporate got married on 30 Walk , in Bela-Bela, South Continent. They have two sons submit one daughter.^[97][98][99]

He is a angelic Christian and has stated ensure his faith is crucial earn his approach to life.^[] Loosen up is also an accomplished bass player and a singer. Encircle , he released a bilingualist pop album entitled Maak Jou Drome Waar with his pen pal and South African singer Ampie du Preez.^[] His autobiography, AB de Villiers – the Autobiography, was released in September ^[] He is the most-followed Southbound African on Instagram.^[]

References