Johannesburg,
\nThe talismanic AB de Villiers on Wednesday stepped down as captain of South Africa\u2019s ODI side but will be available for selection across all formats of the game.<\/p>\n
De Villiers has asked Cricket South Africa to relieve him of his duties as Proteas ODI captain.<\/p>\n
In a statement released on de Villiers\u2019 behalf by Cricket South Africa, the cricketer denied accusations that he was being selective about matches.<\/p>\n
He assured full support to Faf du Plessis, who has largely been acting as captain of the side in his absence.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot has been said and written over the past 12 months, and I feel it is time to make my position absolutely clear,\u201d de Villiers said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the past year or so, I have tried to manage many commitments. I have felt mentally and physically tired; my wife and I are bringing up two fantastic kids and playing in all three formats ever since 2004 has taken its toll.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether with CSA, we have tried to develop a viable schedule which allows me to prolong my career for as long as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old\u2019s recent slump in form prompted speculation that he might retire from one format of the game with the 2019 ICC World Cup in focus.<\/p>\n
\u201c…This strategy has prompted some people to say I am picking and choosing when to play for the Proteas, and even to suggest I am somehow putting myself before the team. That is simply not true. That has never been true.\u201d<\/p>\n
Playing for South Africa is, and will always be, the greatest privilege of my life, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFaf du Plessis has proved to be an outstanding captain of the T20 and Test teams, and bearing this in mind, I have informed Cricket South Africa that I would like to step down as captain of the ODI team.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been an honour to lead the team for the past six years, but it is now time for someone else to take the ODI side forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoever is chosen as the new ODI captain will have my complete support.\u201d<\/p>\n
De Villiers said he was feeling \u201crefreshed and revived\u201d after his recent break, but wanted to get back onto the field from October onwards.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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