England Skipper Joe Root Lauds 'Freakish' AB de Villiers

England Cricket team skipper, Joe Root said AB de Villiers had done “freakish things” after the South African great surprised the cricket world by announcing his international retirement with an immediate effect on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the modern-day legend admitted he wanted to step while still at the top.

“After 114 test matches, 228 one day internationals and 78 T20 internationals it is time for others to take over. I’ve had my turn and to be honest I’m tired,” he said in a video message on Twitter.

The 34-year old averaged over 50 in both Test and one-day international matches. He was one of the leading batsmen of this generation and could score quick runs.

De Villiers enjoyed a blistering international career that ran well over a decade. His remarkable exploits on the cricket field made him one of the most loved cricket stars across the world.

Meanwhile, de Villiers’ career was in peril after he had taken an indefinite break from Tests last year.

However, he returned towards the end of the last year to represent the Proteas in that format. He played a pivotal role in South Africa’s win over India and Australia.

De Villiers has done ‘freakish’ things

His sudden decision to hang his boots left the cricketing world in utter disbelief. Wishes from all cricketers, past and present to fans, poured in for the modern-day great.

The 27-year old Root lauding de Villiers dismissed the speculations regarding the burden in international cricket. Root, speaking at Lord’s ahead of the first Test against Pakistan said the change in format energises him.

He also lauded de Villiers for doing freakish things across all the formats.

“I think it is very different. If you look at someone like AB, he has had a wonderful career, done freakish things in the game across three formats and he has been a great servant to South Africa.

“But he has been doing it for 12, 14 years, a long time, and by anyone’s standards that is a long career. I look at how it is at the minute and when you go from different formats, it gives you energy. A slightly different squad, a different way of thinking about the game and that has always been enough for me to be energised. I can’t see how that is going to change any time soon for me,” Root said.

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