AB de Villiers is unsurprised that, just days before South Africa resumes its search for the illusive World Cup, the buzz back home revolves around racial quotas in the team.
It’s a never-ending cycle, and de Villiers, who retired in 2018, is relieved that he is no longer a part of it.
“it’s a disgrace to go into a tournament with that as the focus. “I mean, it’s nothing new; it’s just a shame,” one of South Africa’s cricket legends said.
“Fortunately, I had nothing to do with anything over there this time. “I’m just a spectator,” the 40-year-old told PTI during an engagement organized by ‘Jio Cinema’.
The appearance of only one black player in the team for the T20 extravaganza, which begins on June 1 in the United States and West Indies, has sparked controversy.
Despite not living up to the designation, South Africa, the perpetual bridesmaids who like to choke in critical moments, is constantly in the pre-tournament favourites bracket.
And having a very divisive topic take centre stage just days before they launch their campaign is a far from ideal buildup for a country with a poor history of race relations. The Proteas will face the Netherlands in New York on June 8.
According to the policy implemented in 2016, six players of colour, including two from the black African community, must be in the South Africa playing XI during a season.
With Kagiso Rabada as the lone black African in the T20 World Cup roster, the national team will surely fall short of its goal. Lungi Ngidi, another black African, is in the touring reserves.
Other players of colour include Reeza Hendricks, Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Ottniel Baartman.
“There are controversial moments back home as usual with the South African squad just before a World Cup,” AB de Villiers stated.
“I think this is a good team. It’s a shame about Lungi… he’s lost some form and has had a few ailments. Otherwise, he would have been on the squad, and there would have been no controversy back home,” he said.
Cricket South Africa currently does not have a selector committee, and the team is selected by head coaches Shukri Conrad (Tests) and Rob Walter (white-ball cricket).
“Sometimes these things happen, and it puts you under a bit of pressure as a selection pane, coach, and captain,” AB de Villiers stated.
“From what I remember, with the quota system, it’s an average team, an average number over the season, and they don’t look at every series, but as journalists sometimes enjoy steaming up things a bit,” he put things into perspective.
Former Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula and former CSA and ICC president Ray Mali questioned the squad’s composition after it was announced earlier this month.
“Only one African player has been selected for the Proteas’ T20 World Cup 2024 squad. Mbalula stated on X that it is a reversal of transformational advances and does not reflect a fair representation of all South Africans in the national cricket team.
Mali told SABC Sport that the game is regressing in the country.
“I believe a lot has been achieved, but we have gone backwards in cricket – we have taken a step backwards instead of going forward,” Mali remarked.
However,AB de Villiers was more sympathetic to those who made the decisions and stated that he saw nothing malicious in the process.
“Maybe they’re short. They may be entirely within their rights to do whatever they were required during the World Cup.
“Remember that there were a few injuries and several out-of-form players. It’s never simple,” he explained.
On the plus side, South Africa’s IPL players have shown frightening form in the last T20 league, undoubtedly boosting their confidence to go the distance in the World Cup.
Speaking on the recently finished IPL 2024, AB de Villiers stated that the Impact Player rule, which allowed teams to reach 250-plus totals up to eight times this season, should be altered.
“what I didn’t like about the rule was subscribing players who had already participated in the game. That portion of the rule does not make sense. It must be a fair swap.
“If someone hasn’t participated in the game, they should be exchanged. If you believe you will be lacking in the bowling or batting departments, it will make strategizing more difficult and swapping someone more risky.”
He also wants more than two fielders outside the ring during a powerplay.
“I still believe T20 cricket should be a batters’ game, which is why fans come to the grounds. They want to see the ball soar across the field and into the night sky,” he explained.
“But you still want to see bowlers outsmart batters in the opening six overs by loosening the limits.
“Whether that’s four or five outside, I don’t know exactly, but at least the bowler can plan,” he said.