De Villiers smashes ton in cricket return

Proteas superstar AB de Villiers has scored a blazing century in his return from injury in South Africa’s domestic 50-over competition.

The 32-year-old had been out of action since mid-2016 as he struggled with a long-term elbow injury, but the prolonged period out of the game didn’t stop de Villiers bringing up his fifty off as many balls while playing for Northerns in their clash with Easterns in Benoni.

From there he escalated, reaching triple figures off 87 balls before launching into a late flurry, adding another 34 runs off 16 balls.

He finished unbeaten on 134 off 103 deliveries, guiding Northerns to their target of 200 with 19.3 overs to spare.

His innings featured 19 fours and three sixes.

De Villiers is South Africa's one-day international captain, and could be back in Proteas colours for the third T20 match against Sri Lanka on 25 January, ahead of an ODI series.

However he has ruled himself out of Test action until at least October, withdrawing himself from a four-Test series in England in mid-year, as well as two matches against Bangladesh in September and October.

The superstar batsman, who has 21 centuries to his name from 106 Tests and averages 50.46, has conceded he may have to make “certain choices” to achieve his dream of being fit for the 2019 World Cup in England.

He stood down from the Test captaincy after a Faf du Plessis-led side completed a memorable 2-1 series victory against Australia in December.

De Villiers has 24 tons to his name in the 50-over format and was in charge as South Africa claimed a heartbreaking semi-final loss to New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup in Australia.

"I'm not retiring out of Test cricket, I'm not retiring out of any format, that's for sure. I am not prepared to do that," de Villiers told South African radio station 702 last week.

"My main aim is to get to that 2019 World Cup and I am going to do everything possible to get there.

“It's important to play the other formats but, mentally and physically, I need to be in a good space come the 2019 World Cup and that's what I am aiming for. I know it’s still a long way away and it's all about managing that really well in order for me to get there.

"I am going to have to make certain choices.”