Ab de villiers calls time on illustrious career

South Africa's star batsman AB de Villiers on Wednesday announced his surprise retirement from all international cricket after a glittering 14-year career playing for the Proteas.

De Villiers, 34, was famed for mixing traditional and unorthodox shots, as well as his fast scoring and ability to hit the ball to all parts of the ground.

He holds the world record for the fastest half-century (16 balls), hundred (31 balls) and 150 (64 balls) in ODIs, and is one of the few batsmen to top the Test and 50-over rankings at the same time.

"I have decided to retire from all international cricket with immediate effect," he said in a statement.

"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."

The middle-order batsman said it had taken him a long time to make the "tough" decision and that he decided to quit while still playing "decent cricket".

"After the fantastic series wins against India and Australia, now feels like the right time to step aside," he said.

"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."

He added he had no plans to play overseas but would continue in league competitions, saying: "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."

De Villiers retired with a Test average of 50.66 and as the fourth-highest run-scorer for South Africa with 8765 runs, with 22 100s.

In limited overs, he finished as the number two ranked batsman in the world and as the second highest run-scorer behind Jacques Kallis with 9577 runs at an average of 53.50.

"AB is one of the all-time greats of South African cricket who has thrilled spectators around the world with his sheer brilliance, coupled to his ability to innovate and take modern day batting... to new levels," said Cricket South Africa (CSA) president Chris Nenzani.

"It goes without saying that he is going to be greatly missed wherever international cricket is played."

CSA chief executive Thabang Moroe said De Villiers' decision ahead of the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales was disappointing but respected.

"AB has been a colossus on the world stage for well over a decade,' he said.

"His ability to improvise has made him known as Mr. 360 degrees in white ball cricket and we will never ever forget those remarkable nnings that earned him the fastest 50. 100 and 150 in ODI cricket."

Ab's records

-AB de Villiers holds the record for the fastest ODI century, reaching the mark in just 31 balls against West Indies in Johannesburg in January 2015. He ended that particular innings on an astonishing 149 off just 44 balls, with nine fours and 16 sixes, which is also the joint-highest amount of sixes hit in a single ODI innings. 

-In the same innings he reached his 50 off 16 balls -- the fastest ODI half-century.

His ODI average of 53.5 is the second-highest -- after Virat Kohli – among batsmen who have scored 9,000 runs and the fourth-highest among batsmen who have played at least 20 innings.

-He is also an accomplished wicketkeeper. He has 94 dismissals in Tests (89 catches, 5 stumpings), 97 in ODIs (92 catches, 5 stumpings) and 28 T20I dismissals (21 catches, 7 stumpings).

What they said

So shocked to here @ABdeVilliers17 has decided to call time on his international career. But that's just life and he feels it's time to move on. Thank you great man for your amazing match winning performances, skill captaincy and most of all your humility.

 -- Allan Donald

Like your on-field game, may you have 360-degree success off the field as well. You will definitely be missed, @ABdeVilliers17. My best wishes to you! 

-- Sachin Tendulkar

It's a shocking news. It's surprising to hear that AB de Villiers is retiring so early. International cricket, including myself, will greatly miss his game. 

--Mushfiqur Rahim

I said in a blog sometime back that @ABdeVilliers17 was the true natural successor to Lara. He too can ask " Did I entertain?" And the answer would be a resounding "Yes. Yes!" 

-- Harsha Bhogle

I remember this young guy on his 1st day out for Proteas... What an inspiration, person and player he turned out to be. Thank you for everything you have done and been for your country, teammates and fans @ABdeVilliers17  #legend.

-- Mark Boucher