So, AB de Villiers stepped down before he’d actually stepped up.
I’d like to have seen him captain the Test side. He was deeply disappointed when he was overlooked in 2015, but threw himself into the fray in support of Hashim Amla. I’d like to think he’ll do the same for his old chommie Faf.
He’s said so in that CSA media statement on Monday, but it’s through deeds rather than words that De Villiers will be measured.
Thing is AB de Villiers has had a hell of a lot to say this past year in relation to international cricket and a lot of it painted a picture of a man for whom playing for his country seemed occasionally to be a chore he’d much rather avoid.
Before the third Test against England at the Wanderers earlier this year, De Villiers said the following: “I found myself on the pitch in the past few years, not often, but not enjoying myself as much as I should be and that raises concerns for me.”
For most of the squad clarity emerged at that get together the players and coaching staff had before the New Zealand series. De Villiers would have been part of those “brutally honest” - as Du Plessis described them - exchanges among that group.
Priority was given to the Proteas shirt, said Domingo about the outcome of those discussions.
Presumably De Villiers bought into that, too. The collective purpose and cohesion that the side have displayed since, is indicative of the clarity with which the players emerged from those meetings.
And all that’s happened since, has been without De Villiers. An enthusiastic supporter as the team beat Australia, it could also not have been easy for him to watch them get along so well without him.
Du Plessis made no attempt to hide the fact he loved being captain even as it may have made the best man at his wedding uncomfortable.
No doubt the two talked before De Villiers went public with his decision to stand down.
The onus is now on him to display the selflessness many have given him credit for showing in making his decision to step aside.
Time was when De Villiers may have thought he no longer needed South African cricket, but even as they’ve been successful lately, they could be so much better with him there.
The other players seem to be clear about making the Proteas the priority. Here’s hoping that like them, De Villiers has left behind the concerns he expressed at the start of this year. Here’s hoping his thinking is clear and that it’s about giving everything for the Proteas.