AB de Villiers’ ultimatum: Play Tests full-time or stay out

Cricket South Africa (CSA) are adamant AB de Villiers isn’t bigger than the Proteas and can’t choose when he plays Test cricket.

Instead, CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat intimated that South Africa’s one-day captain has been given an ultimatum: he either plays continuously or stays out.

Also read: AB de Villiers, unconvincingly, says he’s not giving up Tests

De Villiers on Tuesday made himself unavailable for the Tests against New Zealand next month but will be captain in the upcoming one-day series against Sri Lanka.

The brilliant middle-order batter has been out of competitive cricket since June last year due to an elbow injury.

“This is a plan that we had six months ago. It’s just a case of when he starts or when he returns,” said Lorgat.

“Because once he starts playing Tests again, there’s no stopping and no time off. When you play, you play continuously. So he’s not picking and choosing. These are deliberate discussions that we’re having and which will continue.”

As a result, CSA are also not surprised by his decision to opt out of the New Zealand Tests.

“ODI cricket is the focus because he’s the captain. Test cricket is different. We’ve got a settled team, we’ve got the resources to go through,” said Lorgat.

“I’m most satisfied by the kind of conversations we’re having with him,” Lorgat said.

“He’s clear about when he’s going to be ready and when he’s not ready. His clarity is important because then selectors are aware and we move on. His absence has allowed us to build a team without him.”

If De Villiers plans on returning for the high-profile Test series in England in mid-year, he’s in for a bit of a surprise.

“If the selectors and the team feel that they have a winning team going, AB is fully aware that it’s the selectors that will determine whether he comes back into the team or not,” said Lorgat.

For more sport your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.