After confirming earlier this week that he wouldn\'t play in South Africa\'s upcoming Test Series against New Zealand, AB De Villiers confirmed today that he won’t play in the four Tests against England in July and August this year as well.
De Villiers last played Test cricket in January of last year, insisted the 2019 World Cup is in his sights, "I needed a bit of time away from the game and I need some more," de Villiers said as South Africa began their preparations for the three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka.
"Therefore I made myself unavailable for the New Zealand series, but to add to that is also the England series and the Bangladesh series after that. I am hoping to make a comeback with the Titans towards the end of the year in preparation for the series against India and against Australia. That's the plan. I am not committing to it but I am hoping to make a comeback there in Test cricket.
"My dream plan is to come back for those eight Test matches and that's all I can say for now. My focus is on the 2019 World Cup but if I feel physically incapable of making it after those two Test series, I will call it a day then. I'll make that call once we get there. I can't decide now how I am going to feel in 12 months."
"I'm just not ready (to play Tests) that's the best way I can put it. Priorities have changed over the years, family has changed, my roles in the team have changed over the years," he said.
"Playing three different formats, with the schedule the way it is, all of a sudden felt like the world is on top of my shoulders, and that's when I felt like I need to start prioritising what I want to achieve in my career, where I want to go and what I feel motivated about. There are a lot of things that have played a role in this decision but I wouldn't like to think it's the end.
"I would still like to make a comeback and finish on a high, somehow have a say in us getting that No.1 ranking, which we deserve over the last few months with the way we have played. It's definitely not the end of the story. I do still have goals and that's why I didn't want to make any silly statements about retiring out of Test cricket or anything like that."
It's likely he'll return to the international scene against Sri Lanka in the third International T20 followed by five One Day Internationals which start in 10 days time and De Villiers is confident his elbow will stand up to the matches.
"It feels pretty good," he continued. "I am still aware of it. The surgery happened three months ago. The specialist said I will still be aware of it so it's nothing new or different to what he said is going to happen," he said.
"I can hit all my shots with the same sort of power that I used to hit them. There are one or two shots that I feel it a little bit more than others and I am not going to tell Sri Lanka before we play them which ones they are. Generally, I feel very confident at the wicket. I have been hitting the ball really well with the couple of net sessions I had."
South Africa captain De Villiers is due to lead his nation in an ODI Series against New Zealand before a break in March ahead of the IPL. He confirmed he will play in that tournament but made himself unavailable for any other T20 leagues.
"The IPL, I feel has become part of the ICC set-up. There are a lot of reasons why all of us wouldn't like to say no to an IPL. I am definitely not committing to anything else at the moment," he said.
"You won't see me at Big Bash, you won't see me in any county game or any other T20 tournament around the world, except for playing South Africa and the IPL. I would like to say I am still very committed to South Africa."
South Africa return to Cardiff to play England in the third International T20 in June following the ICC Champions Trophy earlier that month. Tickets are now on sale to see De Villiers take on Eoin Morgan's men at The SSE SWALEC. CLICK HERE to secure your seats