Retired South African batting legend AB de Villiers recently shared insights on the retirement of former Australian opener David Warner from Test cricket and discussed the evolving landscape of cricket, focusing particularly on the SA20 league’s impact. David Warner ended his Test career in a grand fashion and left behind a massive legacy for the young generation.
Having shared the dressing room with Warner during their stint at the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, de Villiers lauded Warner as a phenomenal player from the outset. He commended Warner’s resilience, labeling him one of cricket’s best all-rounders despite facing controversies. De Villiers admired Warner’s ability to bounce back from tough situations, acknowledging him as a determined fighter.
De Villiers also highlighted the rising prominence of the SA20 league, rating it as the second-best T20 league globally after the IPL in terms of financial allure for top-tier players. He attributed this league’s growth to influential Indian owners and credited Graeme Smith for elevating it into a magnet for global talent.
Watch: AB de Villiers on the star batter David Warner & on the ever changing landscape of cricket
However, recent news revealing the prioritization of the SA20 league over a Test series in New Zealand stirred controversy. This decision, aimed at keeping prominent players available for the T20 league, drew criticism, including from former Australian captain Steve Waugh. De Villiers expressed dismay over this move, emphasizing the pressure on Test and ODI cricket, citing the shift towards T20 formats due to financial considerations.
De Villiers drew parallels between Warner’s availability for the 2025 Champions Trophy post-ODI retirement and his own situation, where despite declaring his availability for major tournaments, including the T20 World Cup and 2019 ODI World Cup, he was not selected by the South African setup. He expressed a wish to have represented South Africa in another World Cup, echoing Warner’s open availability for selection despite retiring from specific formats.
Warner’s recent retirement from ODI cricket implies that the ODI World Cup victory was his final tournament in the 50-over format. AB de Villiers’ insights shed light on the changing dynamics of cricket, emphasizing the financial influence of T20 leagues and players’ considerations regarding format preferences and availability for national selection, echoing the challenges and decisions faced by modern-day cricketers.