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AB calls time on international career

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AB de Villiers celebrates his 100 in Paarl

AB de Villiers has announced his retirement from international cricket after a 14-year career. 

The Proteas superstar announced his retirement on 23 May in a video on Twitter.

De Villiers is one of the greatest players to have represented South Africa, having played 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is.

He bows out as the fourth-highest Test run-scorer – 8,765 runs at an average of 48.03 – and second-highest ODI run scorer – 9,427 at an average of 54.17 – for the Proteas.

‘I have decided to retire from all international cricket with immediate effect,’ he said on Wednesday. ‘After 114 Test matches, 228 ODIs and 78 T20 Internationals, it is time for others to take over. I have had my turn, and to be honest, I am tired.

‘This is a tough decision. I have thought long and hard about it and I’d like to retire while still playing decent cricket. After the fantastic series wins against India and Australia, now feels like the right time to step aside.

‘It would not be right for me to pick and choose where, when and in what format I play for the Proteas. For me, in the green and gold, it must be everything or nothing. I will always be grateful to the coaches and staff of Cricket South Africa for their support through all these years. The most important thank you goes out to all of my teammates throughout my career, I wouldn’t be half the player that I am without the support throughout the years.

‘It’s not about earning more somewhere else, it’s about running out of gas and feeling that it is the right time to move on. Everything comes to an end. To the cricket fans around South Africa and the world, thank you for your kindness and generosity, and today, for your understanding.

‘I have no plans to play overseas. In fact, I hope I can continue to be available for the Titans in domestic cricket. I will continue to be the biggest supporter of Faf du Plessis and the Proteas.’

De Villiers holds a phenomenal number of milestones to his name: the World Record for the fastest ODI 50 (16 balls), 100 (31 balls) and 150 (64 balls), the second highest individual Test score for South Africa (278*), the highest points (935) by a South African on the ICC Test rankings and he has claimed the coveted SA Cricketer of the Year award twice (2014 and 2015).

Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix