De Villiers retires from all forms of cricket

Former South Africa captain AB De Villiers has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket at the age of 37.

The wicketkeeper-batter scored 8,765 runs in 114 Test matches and hit 9,577 in 228 one-day internationals, averaging over 50 in both formats, while also playing 78 T20Is during his 14-year international career for the Proteas.

He became the first South African to score a double-century against India with his unbeaten 217 at Ahmedabad in 2008 and, in January 2015, broke the record for the fastest ODI hundred, reaching the milestone in just 31 balls versus the West Indies.

De Villiers, who played six games for the Brisbane Heat in BBL09, announced his international retirement in 2018 and continued to play franchise cricket, lastly with Indian Premier League side Royal Challengers Bangalore.

"It has been an incredible journey, but I have decided to retire from all cricket," De Villiers wrote in a statement on Twitter.

"Ever since the back yard matches with my older brothers, I have played the game with pure enjoyment and unbridled enthusiasm. Now, at the age of 37, that flame no longer burns so brightly.

"That's the reality I must accept - and, even if it may seem sudden, that is why I am making this announcement today. I've had my time.”

De Villiers had been in talks with South Africa about a return for the T20 World Cup earlier this year, coming after he had made a similar offer for the 2019 ODI World Cup, but a comeback did not materialise on either occasion.

"Cricket has been exceptionally kind to me. Whether playing for the Titans or the Proteas, or RCB or around the world, the game has given me unimagined experiences and opportunities, and I will always be grateful.

"... I am aware that nothing would have been possible without the sacrifices made by my family - my parents, my brothers, my wife Danielle and my children. I look forward to the next chapter of our lives when I can truly put them first."

De Villiers was truly one-of-a-kind.

Months after breaking the fastest ODI hundred record, the right-hander scored the format’s fastest 150 with the Windies again on the receiving end at the 2015 World Cup in Sydney as de Villiers reached the milestone in just 64 balls.

He saved his best for the Aussies.

All told, he hit 47 international centuries (22 in Tests, 25 in ODIs) but he rates his last, against Australia in Port Elizabeth as part of South Africa's historic 3-1 series win on home soil in 2018, among his best ever.

With the Proteas 0-1 down and facing the prospect of a first-innings deficit in the second Test, de Villiers seized control of the contest with a breathtaking counter-attacking knock, hammering an unbeaten 126 from just 146 deliveries to turn the tide and put South Africa in a position of dominance that they would not relinquish.

It was his sixth Test ton against Australia, the most by any South African.

"I'm honestly always fired up when I play against Australia," he said at the time, having scored his sixth Test ton against Australia, the most by any South African.

"I've said it before – growing up it's always the team we wanted to beat as South Africans.

"So from a very young age, five or six, it was always South Africa-Australia, that's the main game.

"I'm always very motivated playing against these guys."

- with PA