AB de Villiers Takes over as South Africa’s Twenty20, ODI captain

Abraham de Villiers has a new job to do with his role as specialist batsman and wicketkeeper – the South African ODI and Twenty20 captaincy.

AB de Villiers, SA Captain

The news that AB de Villiers had been appointed the new South African ODI and Twenty20 captain did not surprise anyone, although it would be fair to see that Hashim Amla was another strong contender that people in South African cricket circles felt was a worthy alternate as well.

Graeme Smith, it may be recalled, relinquished the South African ODI captaincy at the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, another edition that did not end well for South Africa despite being one of the favourites going into the tournament. However, Smith’s decision was already premeditated by him as he announced his intentions much ahead of the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 held in the Indian sub continent.

Since Smith’s stepping down, the contention has always really been between AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, the two most prolific batsmen in South Africa’s contemporary cricket team. However, while AB has proved himself to be an all round performer in all formats of the game, Amla is beginning to turn around the notion that he can only be an outstanding Test batsman. In that light, perhaps given that Amla has had much less exposure in the Twenty20 format, AB was picked as the captain.

Johan Botha has naturally lost his job as South Africa’s Twenty20 captain as a result of the decision which was plausibly based on the idea of integrating the captains across format, which basically means trying to shift towards a single captain, which the South African cricket establishment can perceive in the case of AB de Villiers and perhaps Amla.

For AB, it marks a great ascent to be named as the captain of the national team but also, a huge responsibility. Graeme Smith had previously alluded to how frustrating the job can be, particularly when there is a good side to lead but somehow the team fails to come up with the goods in class events such as the ICC tournaments. For AB, he has already tasted that hurt. But as captain, it will be his responsibility to renew the faith in the team. It will not be easy because AB has several hats he will have to juggle all at the same time. Unless the selectors are looking at another wicket keeper to relieve AB, the gloveman will skipper the team and also be entrusted to score the bulk of the runs.

But in AB’s favour, he begins his campaign with South Africa having a new coach in Gary Kirsten. Kirsten has not only had the experience of turning around India’s fortunes but also, as a native South African and former cricketer, he will have a fair insight in what South Africa has been lacking over the years. With his faith also in AB, the duo will be enlisted to build a formidable team that will have the springboard and mental fortitude to take the game to the top level, something that South Africa have been aspiring to but stagnating of late.