Proteas, de Villiers respond to comeback bombshell

Cricket South Africa has confirmed former skipper AB de Villiers offered to come out of international retirement on the eve of the Proteas naming their World Cup squad.

The statement from CSA is in response to an ESPNcricinfo report that suggested de Villiers had offered to come out of international retirement in April but was turned down by the governing body.

CSA national selector, Linda Zondi, explained the decision to turn down de Villiers' last-minute offer.

"For (captain) Faf du Plessis and (head coach) Ottis Gibson to share AB's desire to be included in the squad on the day we announced our World Cup squad on April 18th was a shock to all of us," Zondi said.

"AB left a big vacuum when he retired, we had a year to find players at franchise level to fill the gap.

"We had players who put in the hard work, who put up their hands and deserved to be given the opportunity to go to the World Cup.

"The decision was based on principle; we had to be fair to the team, the selection panel, our franchise system and players."

De Villiers tweeted on Thursday evening (AEST): "All that’s important is that we should all focus on supporting the team at the World Cup. There is a long way to go and I believe the boys can still go all the way #ProteaFire."

De Villiers announced his shock retirement from international cricket last May, saying he was "running out of gas" after 14 years at the highest level.

"I pleaded with AB de Villiers not to retire in 2018," Zondi said. "Although there was a perception that he was picking and choosing when to play – which was not true – I did give him the option to plan and monitor his season to get him to the World Cup fresh and in a good space.

"We made it clear that he would have to play during the home tours against Sri Lanka and Pakistan to be considered for selection, instead he signed to play in the Pakistan and Bangladesh Premier Leagues respectively.

"He turned down the offer and said he was at peace with his decision to retire."

According to the report, CSA is said to have not considered de Villiers' offer given he had not played for the Proteas in the preceding 12 months at either South African domestic level or on the international stage, which was part of the criteria for World Cup selection.

"At no point in the year that he had retired did he make himself available for selection," continued Zondi.

"It was no option when I received the news on the day of the squad announcement, our squad was finalised and confirmed.

"AB is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, but above all else, we have to stay true to our morals and principles, there is no regret in the decision."

The revelation is an unwanted distraction for the Proteas, who have suffered three consecutive defeats at the World Cup, including an upset 21-run loss to Bangladesh at The Oval on Sunday.

Compounding their difficult campaign has been injuries to key players, including champion fast bowler Dale Steyn, who has withdrawn from the tournament after failing to recover from a shoulder injury.

De Villiers is undoubtedly one of South Africa's best batsmen, particularly in the 50-over game.

In 228 ODIs, the 35-year-old scored 9577 runs at an average of 53.50, with 25 centuries and scored at a strike rate of 101 per 100 balls faced.

In 2015, he smashed the West Indies to all parts of The Wanderers to record the fastest-ever ODI hundred from just 31 balls.