With dark clouds hovering over AB de Villiers’ Test career, former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has said it would be disappointing not to see the Proteas star playing the longest format of the game.
Speculations over de Villiers’ Test career has risen after the South Africa star made himself unavailable for selection for the upcoming Test series in New Zealand in March even after recovering from his elbow injury. And just like everyone out there, Watson is also keen to see one of the finest modern-day batsmen continue playing in the oldest format of the game.
“(De Villiers) has played over 100 Test matches, he’s done incredibly well for South Africa, he’s got a young family now, there are other challenges in his life as well,” Watson told The Unplayable Podcast.
The ace all-rounder further said that whether to play in Test or not totally depends on de Villiers before expressing his desire of seeing his Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammate playing for his team Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League.
“I’m not exactly sure what he’s going to do but it would be disappointing not to see him play Test cricket. In the end, everyone’s got to move on at some stage and if he does there’s plenty of cricket for him to be able to play for South Africa in the shorter formats,” he said.
“There’s plenty of Twenty20 leagues and the Sydney Thunder are very keen to get him involved if there’s an opportunity there.
“Anyone would be falling over themselves to get AB de Villiers. He’s such a very kind, a genuine person off the field and on the field he provides so much with his incredible skills. He’ll be fine whatever happens,” he added.
Watson, who shared the dressing room with de Villiers and India skipper Virat Kohli during his stint with the RCB last year, said that he loves to see both the players in action.
“(De Villiers) and Virat Kohli especially are the ones I love seeing, how they adapt to all different conditions and have done it for a long period of time,” Watson said.
“But AB, gosh, he’s played over 100 Tests now and just dominated in all formats. “He’s a genius in all formats.How he knows his game inside-out and tailors his game to whatever conditions and whatever bowlers are bowling. It’s just absolutely phenomenal to be able to watch,” he concluded.