Even After Playing 106 Tests, AB De Villiers Stays ‘Nervous’ Ahead Of Matches
Feb 7, 2019 at 12:37 PM
South Africa batsman and modern-day great Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, popularly known as ‘ABD’, has said he stays nervous ahead of competing in any match. For someone, who has played over 100 Tests (106), 206 ODIs and 71 T20s so far, admitting such a thing isn’t shame, that’s what ‘Superman’ feels.
De Villiers, who was out of the game for around four months after suffering an elbow injury, is set to return in a provisional match for Northerns against Easterns at Willowmoore Park on Sunday. However, the former Proteas Test skipper is a part of South Africa’s squad for the third T20 against Sri Lanka, which will be played on January on 25 in Newlands, Cape Town.
Speaking in Centurion this week, De Villiers said he always stays nervous ahead of any match. He further said the added pressure lies on his shoulders, as on his return, he’ll be expected to perform, which he feels he should – given that he last played an international match in July 2016.
“I am always nervous before cricket games. After a long break like this you like to go out there and prove that you can still play the game. I know there will be a lot of eyes on me in that match. I can still hit the ball well and I would like to prove that I can still play. There is added pressure on me to perform but I have always played under pressure‚ and I am motivated to do well.”
It’s been three months since he went under the knife, and de Villiers is not sure whether he’ll hit some shots in his book with the same preciseness, the way he used to do in the past. He said he is confident and is eager to walk out on the pitch.
“Surgery happened three months ago but I am still aware of the shoulder. I can hit all the shots with the power that I used to but there is one or two shots that I feel are better than the others. Generally‚ I am feeling confident and I have been hitting the ball very well in the nets. I am very excited to get going again.”
The second T20 between South Africa and Sri Lanka will take place on Sunday, while the third one will take place on Wednesday.