AB de Villiers not to be a part of BBL 2018

AB De Villiers retired from international cricket earlier this year in May.

AB De Villiers. (Getty)

The eighth season of the Big Bash League suffered a major blow after AB de Villiers, the former  South African skipper has decided against participating in the league. 

It becomes the second big name player to decide against playing in the league after Australian Mitchell Johnson called time on his career on Wednesday.

“The intensity and length of the BBL is just too much for someone who will be 37 at the start of the summer,” Johnson’s manager, Sam Halvorsen, told The West Australian.

AB De Villiers retired from international cricket in May this year, much to the surprise of his fans all across the globe. 

“I have decided to retire from all international cricket with immediate effect,” de Villiers said post his retirement. 

“After 114 Test matches, 228 ODI’s and 78 T20 Internationals, it is time for others to take over. I have had my turn, and to be honest, I am tired."

“This is a tough decision, I have thought long and hard about it and I’d like to retire while still playing decent cricket. After the fantastic series wins against India and Australia, now feels like the right time to step aside."

“It’s not about earning more somewhere else, it’s about running out of gas and feeling that it is the right time to move on. Everything comes to an end."

“I have no plans to play overseas, in fact, I hope I can continue to be available for the Titans in domestic cricket.”

Two other factors which is making the international think over participating in the league is the duration of the league and salary negotiations. “By changing what’s been a successful formula, one key test will be sustaining the interest of quality international players for that length of time,” Gilchrist wrote. 

Also according to the daily reports in The Daily Telegraph Cricket Australia is reportedly in negotiations on increasing the salary.

The eighth edition of the Big Bash is set to get underway on December 19 with the Brisbane Heat taking on the Adelaide Strikers. Almost two months later the competition will wrap up with the final on February 17.

(Inputs from news.com.au)
 

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 31 Jul, 2018

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