The Hobart Hurricanes are interested in signing AB de Villiers for next year’s Big Bash League.Former Proteas coach Gary Kirsten could be the man responsible for luring De Villiers to Australia’s domestic T20 competition as he prepares for his first stint as coach of the Hurricanes. Cricket Tasmania CEO Nick Cummins revealed the interest in the 33-year-old, but admitted that it’s unlikely that they will be able to capture his services for this year’s edition, which gets under way in four months.

‘We’ve obviously got an inside, running with Gary Kirsten. I’ve had a chat with Gary and he’s going to sound out AB as well,’ Cummins told ABC News.

De Villiers is also believed to be closely watched by Paddy Upton’s Sydney Thunder, who are reportedly lining him up as a replacement for the banned West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell.

The BBL kicks off December 19, and in the unlikely scenario that De Villiers features this year, it will all but rule him out of the Proteas’ Test series against India, which could well and truly spell the end of his Test career.

‘I would be surprised if AB played Big Bash this summer,’ Cummins continued, with AB set to cost in the region of R1-million-plus. ‘Certainly from a salary-cap perspective next year, he’s a player that we would be able to afford to get.’

The ODI skipper is taking part in the inaugural T20 Global League as the marquee domestic player for the Pretoria-based franchise. He’s set to meet up with CSA at some point this month to discuss his future in the longest format.

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