AB DE VILLIERS INDUCTED INTO ICC HALL OF FAME

Betway SA20 Ambassador AB de Villiers has been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame today. 

De Villiers enjoyed a remarkable international career spanning 14 years, during which he hit over 20 000 international runs across all three formats. 

He was an innovative stroke-maker with an eye for the spectacular, as well as excelling in Test and T20I cricket, the former Proteas Men’s captain set records for the fastest fifty, century and 150 in ODI cricket to earn a reputation of being one of the most feared, destructive batters in the history of the game.

“It is a tremendous honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, joining a select group of cricketers to be recognised in this way,“ De Villiers said.

“Cricket is often described as an individual sport within a team game… and it’s true that, whether you are a batsman taking guard at the crease or a bowler pausing at the start of his run-up, you - and only you - are responsible for what happens.

“That said, everyone who plays cricket understands it is, in spirit, a team game.

“And I know I would have achieved nothing without the help and support of so many teammates, coaches and support staff from my early days at school in Pretoria, through so many memorable days at the Titans and with the South Africa team - and, indeed in franchise cricket - all around the world.

“To all of them, to the ICC, and supporters around the world, thank you.”

Former India captain Virat Kohli, who was De Villiers’ long-time teammate at Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore, paid tribute to the Proteas legend.

“You are the most talented cricketer I have played with, the absolute number one,” said Kohli.

“But what truly stood out to me was your belief in that ability. You had a crazy amount of belief that you could execute whatever you wanted to on a cricket field, and you normally did. That is why you ended up being so special.

“A lot of players can have impressive numbers but very few have an impact on the psyche of those watching. For me, that is the highest value you can have as a cricketer and that is what makes you so special.

“You are in the Hall of Fame for the impact you have left on the game and I don’t think there is anything more special for a cricketer than to have that honour.

“Congratulations, biscotti. You are one of the greatest players to ever play the game.“

De Villiers was inducted along with former England Men’s captain Alastair Cook and Indian Women’s left-arm spinner Neetu David.

AB de Villiers Statistics

114 Tests – 8,765 runs at an average of 50.66 plus 222 catches, 5 stumpings

228 ODIs – 9,577 runs at an average of 53.50 plus 176 catches, 5 stumpings

78 T20Is – 1,672 runs at an average of 26.12 plus 65 catches, 7 stumpings