AB: World Cup win will not define my career

Proteas batsman AB de Villiers insists a World Cup victory won’t define his career but does admit it would be “nice to win it”.
De Villiers was captain when the Proteas agonisingly lost the 2015 World Cup semi-final to co-hosts New Zealand in the final over in Auckland and like many South African teams before fell short just short of claiming the trophy.
Such was the desire of the 34-year-old De Villiers to win the coveted trophy, he took a sabbatical from Test cricket for most of 2017 to be fit and ready for the World Cup next year.
He did return to all three formats for the national team and enjoyed a successful Test series against Australia, helping the Proteas beat the Aussies for the first time in the longest format on home soil.
It now seems the World Cup has moved down on his bucket list.
In quotes published on the ICC’s website, De Villiers said: “I’m taking it one game at a time.
“My ultimate dream is not to win a World Cup. I’ve changed my mindset. I feel it will be nice to win it, it’ll be a bonus, but if I don’t, it’s not going to define my career.
“I’ve committed to all three formats last season and I loved every second of it. I’ll take it one game at a time from here on.”
Latest
-
News
Lancashire sign New Zealand pair Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme
The all-rounders will be available to play in the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast throughout the season.
-
England
Jos Buttler admits he needs to find his rhythm as England lose to South Africa
The hosts won the second ODI by five wickets to clinch the series in Bloemfontein.
-
South Africa
Temba Bavuma hits hundred as South Africa secure ODI series win over England
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
-
England
Jos Buttler and Harry Brook give England hope of levelling ODI series
England reached 342 for seven against South Africa, with Buttler making 94 and Brook 80.
-
England
Jason Roy was never ready to ‘roll over’ despite year of setbacks and low points
Roy has for so long been England’s pacesetter at the top of the order but lost his place in the side.
-
England
England batter Jason Roy emotional after return to form in South Africa defeat
Roy’s slump with the bat led to him being dropped ahead of England’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.
-
England
Jofra Archer will ‘get better and better’ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.
-
England
England beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Roy scored 113 off just 91 balls but South Africa ran out winners by 27 runs.
-
Women's Cricket
England reach Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final after winning thriller
With Australia 96 for nine chasing 100, the England captain trapped Maggie Clark lbw to send her side through to face India in the final.
-
England
Jofra Archer toils for little reward as South Africa set England 299 to win ODI
Archer believes he is at about “80 per cent” fitness so some rust was inevitable.