AB de Villiers intends to work his way back into the Test squad

There’s no arguing over the fact that due to the extraordinary limited over careers of some cricketers, their contributions in Test cricket remains eclipsed. One such living example is AB de Villiers, who is known for his ability to smash the ball all around the park, something not so common in Test cricket. Because of an extravagant limited-overs career, AB’s Test career, which boasts of an exceptional average over 50, is criminally underrated.

But all said and done, the player hasn’t paid much attention to the longest format of the game either. The last time de Villiers featured in the whites for South Africa was way back in January 2016. Henceforth, South Africa’s ace batter in the limited overs is not very much an option in Tests. The man from Pretoria had a great match on Wednesday (October 18) against Bangladesh.

The Tigers found him too hot to handle as Mr 360° smashed 176 runs off just 104 deliveries. After such a magnificent innings, AB had to deal with a rather tricky question- Can we expect the 33-year-old playing Test cricket for his country again?

“If selected, I will be there but I can’t accept that I am going to be in the squad. I have been out of the squad for a while and guys that have come in have done well. You don’t just walk into the Test team. I am going to have to work my way back. I am prepared to do the hard work,” preached AB de Villiers, as per reports in ESPNCricinfo.

Hashim Amla has a very calming influence: AB

Often in this era of big hitters like AB and Chris Gayle, sound technicians like Hashim Amla do not get the credit which they deserve. While AB’s 176 was phenomenal, Amla’s 85 was highly commendable as well. Known for his calm and composed attitude, AB said that 34-year-old from Durban has a very calming influence.

“I was still nervous. It took me an over or so to remember I had a good net in Kimberley and I am in good form. I had to remind myself that I am hitting the ball well. It was great to be out there with Hashim, he has a very calming influence. I am hitting the ball as well as ever. I just spent a bit of time out there and then some of the boundaries kept flowing,” concluded AB.