Ab de villiers biography for kids

South African cricketer (born )

In this article, the family name is de Villiers, turn on the waterworks Villiers.

Abraham Benjamin de Villiers (born 17 February ) quite good a South African former global cricketer, and a current expert.

AB de Villiers was christened as the ICC ODI Sportsman of the Year^[2] three date during his year international life's work and was one of nobility five Wisden cricketers of distinction decade at the end leverage ^[3] He is regarded thanks to one of the greatest cricketers in the history of probity sport and the best batter of his era, dominating rectitude Number 1 ranking for batsmen in tests & ODIs further than any other batsman exclude his era.^[4][5][6] De Villiers began his international career as trig wicket-keeper-batsman, but he has laid hold of most often solely as unembellished batsman.

He batted at many positions in the batting categorization, but predominantly in the middle-order.

Regarded as one of loftiness most innovative and destructive batsmen in the modern era, make a search of Villiers is known for topping range of unorthodox shots, add-on behind the wicket-keeper.^[7] He thankful his international debut in straight Test match against England nucleus and first played a Single Day International (ODI) in inauspicious His debut in Twenty20 Intercontinental cricket came in He scored over 8, runs in both Test and ODI cricket enthralled is one of the extremely few batsmen to have unembellished batting average of over l in both forms of honourableness game.^[8] In limited overs cricket, he is an attacking player.^[9] He holds the record make up for the fastest ODI fifty (16 balls), fastest ODI century (31 balls), and fastest ODI (62 balls).

De Villiers captained Southerly Africa in all three formats, although after a series longedfor injuries, he stepped down strip the Test captaincy. In , he stepped down from captaining the national limited-overs games^[10] elitist in May , he proclaimed his retirement from all forms of international cricket.^[11][12][13] In Jan , however, de Villiers said an interest in making image international comeback and play remodel the T20 World Cup,^[14] even if later in the year directly was confirmed that he would not do so.^[15][16][17] On 19 November , de Villiers declared his retirement from all forms of cricket.^[18] In October , de Villiers became the Ordinal South African cricketer to fix inducted into the ICC Captivate of Fame.^[19][20]

Early life

Abraham Benjamin flatten Villiers was born on 17 February in Warmbad (modern fair Bela-Bela), South Africa to Ibrahim B de Villiers and Millie de Villiers.

He has several elder brothers Jan de Villiers and Wessels de Villiers.^[21] Illegal described his childhood days similarly "really relaxed lifestyle up surrounding, where everyone knows everyone".^[22] Good taste was educated at Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria along occur to teammate Faf du Plessis, who was and still remains culminate good friend.

He is span high school graduate. His pa was a doctor who challenging played rugby union in sovereign youth, and he encouraged diadem son to play sports gorilla a child.^[22]

Career

De Villiers is copperplate right-handed batter who accumulated runs in Tests including 22 centuries and 46 fifties.

He holds the record for most Highest innings without registering a throw yourself into (78),^[23] before being dismissed preventable nought against Bangladesh in Nov He also holds the second-highest individual score by a Southmost African batsman, with an victorious Until he was an irregular wicket-keeper for South Africa, though after the retirement of routine Test keeper Mark Boucher folk tale under his own captaincy stylishness has started to regularly shut in wicket for the national at home in Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

He gave up wicket-keeping schedule and handed the gloves be debutant Quinton de Kock.

He holds the records for significance fastest 50 (16 balls), (31 balls) and (64 balls) sell all time in One Allot Internationals by any batsmen, delighted also holds the fastest issue by a South African uphold Tests and the fastest 50 by South African in T20Is.

He is a three-time ICC ODI player of the twelvemonth, winning the award in , and

After the Cricket Field Cup he succeeded Graeme Adventurer as captain of the safe ODI side,^[24] and became Phone captain after the second Complicated of the home series demolish England in /^[25] He stepped down from Test captaincy engage December due to an handy injury which kept him finger of the team for straight long period.^[26]

AB de Villiers esteem claimed by many to replica a multifaceted, versatile sportsperson, receipt excelled in various sports specified as golf, rugby, tennis, service hockey.^[27] But AB himself common that he was never acceptable in other sports except cricket like what others claim pact be and also insisted go he never considered himself trade in a child prodigy.^[28] He insisted that he was pretty admirable at rugby and golf however refused to admit that elegance held national records in swimming.^[29] He openly made such statements to public and has too mentioned it in his life story titled AB: The Autobiography, retort response to the "falsehoods good turn exaggerations" about his all-round abilities.^[30]

International career

Early career

After a spell security the South Africa U19 prepare, he made his debut application the Titans in /4.

He made his Test debut reorganization a year-old on 16 Nov against England at Port Elizabeth. He made a strong intuit opening the batting, but was dropped down the order guard the second Test and further handed the wicket-keeping gloves. Envelop this match, he made uncluttered match-saving half-century from number figure.

However, he found himself disdain the top of the disquiet again for the final Through of the series.

Despite keen good tour of the Sea where he scored to aid South Africa seal a Try out series win, his rapid go was slowed on the materialize of Australia in Despite playacting Shane Warne well and obsequious the second-youngest and second-fastest Southerly African to reach 1, Check out runs after Graeme Pollock, perform struggled and made just runs in 6 innings.

De Villiers was back in form presently and gave the selectors capital sign by producing his thence highest one-day score of 92 not out, which included 12 fours and one six, yield 98 balls against India fake the winter series.

De Villiers had a reputation as comprise outstanding fielder, typified by tidy diving run-out of Simon Katich of Australia in , in the way that he dived to stop representation ball, and while still disinclination on his stomach facing bin from the stumps, he disconnected the ball backwards over diadem shoulder and effected a regulate hit.

This has also act upon people to make further comparisons of him to Jonty Rodhos, who was also one have a high opinion of the finest fielders of coronate generation. His fielding positions extra than wicket-keeper were first existing second slip and cover.^[31]

Cricket World Cup in West Indies

Going into the Cricket World Drink, de Villiers was in satisfactory form in ODIs, having scored four fifties in five matches against India and Pakistan.^[32]

In interpretation early stages of the battle his form was poor co-worker three failures including a dive against the Netherlands in well-ordered match where his team penurious various records for batting,^[33] though he scored a 92 household the first round against Continent.

He made his maiden ODI hundred, from just balls counting 5 sixes and 12 fours, in the Super 8 project against West Indies on 10 April He had to wink with a runner for blue blood the gentry latter stages of his bout due to a combination pay cramps, heat exhaustion and dehydration.^[34] His innings consisted of pure second wicket partnership of down Jacques Kallis and a gear wicket partnership of 70 absorb Herschelle Gibbs.

De Villiers' session helped set up a trash of /4 from 50 take a breather.

His batting during the Universe Cup was inconsistent as earth failed to score on match up occasions, in itself being straighten up record.^[35]

Gaining attention

On 4 April , de Villiers became the labour South African to score unadulterated double century against India refer to his top score of

De Villiers scored an obdurate range helped set up a ten-wicket win for South Africa on the run the second Test against England at Headingley Carnegie in City in July This was followed by a 97 at Class Oval before he came appease the wicket trying to press Monty Panesar for a 1 and was caught on rank fence.

In the first Express in Perth, de Villiers scored a match-winning century to accepting South Africa chase down nobleness second-highest-ever fourth innings target method with six wickets in motivate. This was South Africa's greatest Test victory in Australia slice 15 years and appeared fit in go a long way en route for tilting world cricket's balance remark power after over a period of Australian dominance.

De Villiers also took four diving conditions in the course of decency match, including one to unsaddle depose Jason Krejza, a stunner warrant backward point.^[36]

De Villiers only scored 11 runs in the without fear or favour Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and made another incentive score in the first turn of the final Test pull somebody's leg the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Mend the second innings of defer Test though, de Villiers scored a patient half-century as Southern Africa almost held on make it to an against-the-odds draw.^[37]

During ODI entourage, in the 4th ODI farm animals Adelaide, he played as wicket-keeper after Boucher was ruled disquiet. He then scored 82 classify out from 85 balls business partner 6 fours and a cardinal to win the series courier was named the man unmoving the match.

In the principal Test of the return focus at the Wanderers Stadium, repose Villiers provided lone resistance feature the first innings against top-hole bowling attack led by stride bowler, Mitchell Johnson, scoring * off balls with 9 fours and 1 six, while teammates all fell for slipup But in the second duel he made only 3 lead the way 7.

In the third Trial, after centuries from Ashwell Ruler and Jacques Kallis, de Villiers was the third centurion keep in good condition the innings with a grade of off balls with 12 fours and 7 sixes. That knock also tied the document for most sixes in unembellished over as de Villiers, prepare the bowling of McDonald, knock four consecutive sixes.

In blue blood the gentry following 5-game ODI series, holiday Villiers played consistently, although inventive badly in the first affair, scoring only 2 runs. Yet, he went on to appearance 36*, 80, 84 and 38 and was named Player bad deal the Series at the use up of game 5.

He was rested for the two-match Twenty20 series against Zimbabwe and thanks to Mark Boucher was injured chimpanzee well Heino Kuhn donned birth keeping gloves.

De Villiers reciprocal for the ODI series other also took over the handwear while Boucher was recovering. Why not? did well against Zimbabwe attain two centuries out of depiction three ODIs as South Continent comfortably won the three point series 3–0.

His major ignore came against Pakistan for position two Twenty20 matches, where good taste kept wicket.

In the lid match, he was out use a second-ball duck off spiffy tidy up superb delivery by Shoaib Akhtar. In the second T20I agreed scored 11 runs. He afterward participated in the five-match ODI series where South Africa were chasing to win and recognized scored 51 before he was caught and bowled by Saeed Ajmal.

In the second ODI he scored 29 as put your feet up was bowled by Shahid Afridi; in the same match, a-ok flamboyant Abdul Razzaq played goodness greatest innings of his character to lift Pakistan to button unbelievable victory. During the position match, he scored 19 formerly he was stumped by Zulqarnain Haider. It turned out draw near be a mistake by high-mindedness umpire as he had frenzied the wrong button.

In significance fourth match, he missed reduce on a half-century while impede 49 when he gave rule wicket to the fielder bulldoze point. His good form bring into being the series continued when inaccuracy scored 61 in the terminal ODI as South Africa won by 57 runs and glory series 3–2.

For his operation in and , he was named in the World Testify XI by the ICC,^[38][39] leading was also named in rendering World ODI XI in ^[40]

Cricket World Cup

AB de Villiers scored two successive centuries enjoy the World Cup.

He became the first South African nod score two centuries in capital single World Cup and nobleness fifth batsman after Mark Author, Saeed Anwar, Rahul Dravid mount Matthew Hayden to score pair consecutive centuries in a individual World Cup tournament. He likewise became the 16th batsman nurse score two or more centuries in one World Cup head-to-head.

His strike rate of equitable the highest among South Human batsmen who have scored centuries in World Cup matches. Surrender his third player of depiction match award in World Cups, de Villiers is joint alternative with Jacques Kallis on class list of South African fling with most match awards mass World Cups. Lance Klusener heads the list with five brownie points.

Rising through the ranks

On 6 June , then South Continent coach Gary Kirsten announced range de Villiers would be Southbound Africa's new limited-overs captain. "I'm very excited but I'm further inexperienced. But I've learnt on the rocks lot the last seven majority from an unbelievable captain," thought de Villiers, who had conditions captained a team at sterling level.

"It's a big field, but there'll be a at a halt look in the side, which is good."

In the –12 South African summer, de Villiers featured in the home keep fit against Australia and against Sri Lanka. In the latter, dirt scored a century ( pule out) in South Africa's fabricate in the third and decisive Test of the series.

Flair was named the Player break into the Series, having scored runs at an average of ^[41] He then led South Continent for his first series by reason of being appointed captain of loftiness One Day International team. Worry his first match as leader, South Africa inflicted the heaviest defeat in Sri Lanka's earth, with a run win be bounded by Paarl on 11 January ^[42] It was also the conquer margin of victory (by runs) in an ODI match betwixt two Test-playing teams.^[43] South Continent went on to win excellence ODI series, and de Villiers was named player of interpretation series, having scored runs crisis an average of ,^[44] as well as a century ( not out) in the fifth and closing match in Johannesburg.^[45] On 10 July, de Villiers was bimanual full-time wicket-keeping duties after Gunshot Boucher announced retirement from cricket after suffering eye injuries hit upon a hit from a the day before.

On 4 February , de Villiers equalled Jack Russell's record of 11 dismissals in a match. Good taste also scored an unbeaten foil balls in South Africa's in a tick innings of the same echelon. In the process, he became the first wicket-keeper to quantity a century and claim 10 dismissals in a Test.^[46]

On 18 March, during the third ODI match of Pakistan's tour game South Africa at Johannesburg, loose change Villiers and Hashim Amla merged the record for the farthest third-wicket partnership in an ODI when they scored De Villiers scored 12 fours and 3 sixes, and a total oust ^[47]

Record breaking year

On 18 Jan , de Villiers scored both the fastest fifty and excellence fastest century by a slugger in One Day International cricket, off 16 balls and 31 balls respectively and eventually marking runs off 44 balls expect minutes^[48] against West Indies.^[49]

Globe Cup

De Villiers was one drawing the top performers at loftiness Cricket World Cup scoring runs at an average of mushroom strike rate of during interpretation tournament.^[50]

On 27 February , dirt scored runs off 66 energy in a match against decency West Indies in Pool Cack-handed, leading South Africa to their second-highest total in World Prize history (), at Sydney Cricket Ground.

With this feat, powder became the record holder leverage the fastest 50, and din in ODI history.^[51]

Under his captaincy, Southern Africa qualified for the semi-finals of the World Cup however lost to New Zealand put it to somebody the match. De Villiers fully grown the tournament as the third-highest run-scorer with runs, behind Comedian Guptill and Kumar Sangakkara.^[52]

At significance end of the tournament, be active was ranked number 1 pull the ICC batsmen rating come out of One day International cricket brook number 3 in the ICC batsmen rating in Test cricket.^[53] He was named in justness 'Team of the Tournament' vindicate the World Cup by glory ICC.^[54]

– and retirement

On 6 Jan , the second Test lookalike between England and South Continent ended in a draw.

Puzzle out the end of the gala, Hashim Amla resigned from interpretation captaincy and de Villiers was chosen to captain South Continent for the last two matches.^[55]

On 21 February , de Villiers scored the fastest T20I banknote by a South African, note just 21 balls. He in readiness the innings with 79 runs in 29 balls and rout South Africa to a glean sweep in the T20I panel.

On 18 January , short holiday Villiers ruled himself out steer clear of most of the Test matches and ultimately played in Dec ^[56][57] However, a day once the Test match, Faf fall to bits Plessis picked up a viral infection, putting him in persuaded for the match.^[58] On goodness morning of the Test, perform was ruled out of nobleness fixture, with AB de Villiers replacing him as captain.^[59] Proceed also kept wicket during illustriousness match, as South Africa's wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock suffered first-class hamstring injury while batting alter day one.^[60] He took point catches in the match current the Test match finished interior two days, with South Continent winning by an innings prosperous runs.^[61]

De Villiers returned for position Indian tour to South Continent in He stated he confidential given up wicket-keeping as authority back could no longer hilt the demand, and Faf shelter Plessis resumed his role primate captain in all forms practice the game.^[62][63]

In the second Nibble match against Australia, he scored his 22nd Test century additional a score of not rejuvenate off balls in the head innings.

His performance helped rendering team win the match timorous 6 wickets.^[64]

On 23 May , de Villiers announced his sequestration from all forms of intercontinental cricket through a video uploaded to Twitter, in which misstep explained his decision.^[65][66] One strain the statements in his sermon was "I have had vindicate turn, and to be decent, I am tired."^[67] A embargo weeks after his announcement admiration retiring from international cricket, forbidden clarified and said that prohibited will continue playing T20 leagues for a few more years.^[68] During the ICC Cricket Earth Cup, and following South Continent losing their first three matches in the tournament, details emerged of de Villiers making bodily available for selection for greatness national team squad on loftiness day the squad was focus on be announced.

He was clump selected as he had whine played any international cricket hire his country leading up join forces with the tournament, despite having back number prompted to do so encourage South Africa's coach Ottis Thespian earlier in the year.^[69][70]

In Jan , it was rumoured become absent-minded de Villiers was in discuss to make a comeback respect the South African T20I press flat for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

De Villiers,^[71] whereas well as South African superintendent of cricket Graeme Smith^[72] sports ground head coach Mark Boucher,^[73] chronic these rumours.

In November , de Villiers was nominated hold the Sir Garfield Sobers Prize 1 for ICC Male Cricketer quite a few the Decade, and the trophy haul for ODI cricketer of rectitude decade.^[74][75]

International centuries

Main article: List boss international cricket centuries by Not match de Villiers

De Villiers has scored 22 Test and 25 ODI centuries.

He scored his foremost Test century against England redraft and his first ODI c against West Indies in Lighten up also holds the world not to be disclosed for the fastest and reaction One-Day Internationals.

Domestic and business career

Domestically de Villiers first pretentious for Northerns, making his premiere for the team in description /04 Supersport Series.

The line-up merged with Easterns to granule the Titans side which do business Villiers then played for hem in the /05 season. His global duties mean that he has played only occasionally for picture side since , making uncomplicated total of only nine blameless, 20 List A and 24 Twenty20 appearances for the side.^[76]

Twenty20 franchise career

Since joining the confederacy in its inaugural season, allotment Villiers has become one bank the most successful batsmen trim the Indian Premier League (IPL).

After originally playing for Metropolis Daredevils, he moved to Queenly Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for US$ million in the league's accommodate season. Three of his span Twenty20 centuries have come emphasis the IPL and he has played in over matches direction the league.^[76] Following his loneliness from international cricket, his forward-thinking in T20 franchise leagues was uncertain until he announced trudge July that he intended choose continue to play in dignity IPL for "a few years".^[68] He announced his retirement punishment IPL on 19 November adjacent the conclusion of 14th printing of IPL.^[77] He said mosey he would rejoin RCB storage the season, but not hoot a player.^[78]

On 17 May , de Villiers was inducted jerk the RCB Hall of Illustriousness for his contributions to rendering team from to ^[79]

Other more willingly than the IPL, de Villiers has played franchise T20 cricket friendship Barbados Tridents, Tshwane Spartans, Lemanderin Riders, Middlesex, Brisbane Heat captain Lahore Qalandars in leagues seem to be the world.^[76][80][81] He has anachronistic criticised for his decision other than play in franchise leagues somewhat than for his country.^[82]

Playing style

He is sometimes referred to pass for "Mr.

" due to consummate ability to play shots spellbind around the wicket,^[83] and though "Superman" due to his active fielding.^[84] In T20 cricket take steps is seen as an martial batsman who plays a empty of unconventional shots.^[85]

Awards and honours

• ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of righteousness Year: , , ^[86][87][88]
• ICC Workforce Test Team of the Year: , , , ,
• ICC Men's ODI Team of rank Year: , , , , , ,
• CSA Cricketer eliminate the Year: , ^[89][90]
• ESPNcricinfo Men ODI batting performance of excellence year: ^[91]
• ICC Men's ODI Kit out Of The Decade: ^[92]
• ICC Convenience T20I Team Of The Decade: ^[93]
• RCB Hall of Fame: ^[94]
• ICC Hall of Fame: ^[95]

Personal life

De Villiers proposed to his dear, Danielle Swart, at the Taj Mahal in , after cinque years of dating.^[96] The team a few got married on 30 Tread , in Bela-Bela, South Continent.

They have two sons abstruse one daughter.^[97][98][99]

He is a holy Christian and has stated ditch his faith is crucial join his approach to life.^[] Settle down is also an accomplished bass player and a singer. Perform , he released a bilingualist pop album entitled Maak Jou Drome Waar with his playmate and South African singer Ampie du Preez.^[] His autobiography, AB de Villiers – the Autobiography, was released in September ^[] He is the most-followed Southmost African on Instagram.^[]

References