‘Bowlers will be relieved’ – Allan Donald on de Villiers’ retirement

Allan Donald, the former South Africa fast bowler, has said he was as surprised as anyone when AB de Villiers announced his retirement from international cricket.

“I have had my turn and, to be honest, I am tired," said the 34-year-old upon revealing he was calling time on his international career.

Donald, who has spent a lot of time with de Villiers in the national team set-up, as well as in the IPL as bowling coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore, said the news had "rocked" South Africa.

“Very shocked. Very, very surprised," Donald told ICC. “AB, when he came back after a long delay, a year off, said he wanted to give himself a good break, [and] think about it. This news has really rocked South Africa and the cricket world.

“Social media is absolutely flying with best wishes. He's just been unbelievable for South African cricket, for South African sport, and what he has done to bring people closer in South Africa. It's just terrific.”

De Villiers leaves international cricket as one of South Africa’s veritable greats.

In 114 Tests, he scored 8765 runs at 50.66, with a high score of 278*. In 228 ODIs, de Villiers notched up 9577 runs at 53.50 – he holds the record for the fastest century in ODIs off just 31 deliveries – and in T20Is, he scored 1672 runs in 78 outings with a strike-rate of 135.16.

However, one of the few things missing from de Villiers’ trophy cabinet is an ICC Cricket World Cup trophy, and Donald said he was surprised the Pretoria-born right-hander didn’t play on until the tournament next year.

“He leaves an immense hole [in South Africa’s batting line-up], especially in the lead up the 2019 World Cup," said Donald. “He wanted to give that World Cup his best shot, he wanted to have a World Cup winner's medal in his hand. So, yeah, this is a massive surprise.

“He is a huge loss. Just the skill that he brings, the immense intensity that he brings in the batting line-up of South Africa. That word – ‘being reliable' – whenever AB goes to the crease, you know when it comes to the back end, good luck to the bowlers.

“A lot of the bowlers will be relieved now that he is not playing anymore. South Africa are going to miss him immensely. I am not saying that dents their chances of winning the World Cup, but without him there, it will be a huge, uphill struggle.”

Donald rated de Villiers as one of “the top three batsmen” South Africa has ever produced, and added that he would be missed for his leadership as well. “Taking AB de Villiers out of any team leaves an enormous gap,” he said. “Not only in terms of talent, skill, but also in leadership. He will be immensely missed.

“I am sure there will be a lot of people saying that he is one of the greatest of all time. In one-day cricket there has been no one better. Whatever he does now, good luck to him. I know family time is very important to him, but he will leave an enormous gap in the Proteas set-up.”