Du Plessis, De Villiers considering retirement after 2019 World Cup

Photo: AP

New Delhi: In a startling revelation, Faf du Plessis has stated that ‘a number of senior players’ from South Africa, including him are considering retirement after the 2019 World Cup in England.

South Africa’s Test and T20I captain du Plessis has however, made it clear that he would continue to represent his country in all the three formats till 2019.

"I see myself heading towards the 2019 World Cup playing all formats of the game and then calling time on my career," du Plessis told GQ Magazine in an interview.

Du Plessis’ retirement hint comes as a major surprise particularly when South Africa’s super star AB de Villiers is counting his days left in international cricket.

Du Plessis did not name as to who are the cricketers who are mulling a possible retirement after the 2019 World Cup but the obvious hint was towards de Villiers.

De Villiers handed over South Africa’s Test captaincy to du Plessis last year, following his prolonged injuries. AB also missed the initial stages of IPL due to a shoulder injury.

Commenting about de Villiers, du Plessis said that he understands the work load on AB but wants him to continue playing the longest format of the game for the better of Proteas cricket.

"I can't sit and say he should be playing Test cricket because the guy has been doing it for 12 years and 106 Test matches. It translates to so much time away from home and people have to understand that there is a human side of the decision to consider," du Plessis said. "However, from a cricket point of view, I would obviously be the first to say that AB needs to play Tests for South Africa because he is one of the best batsmen in the world. For him, it's about spending more time at home and getting to the 2019 World Cup. He wants to ensure he remains mentally fresh and his body is still going strong. I fully respect AB's decision but I don't agree with it."

De Villiers will lead South Africa in the Champions Trophy, starting from June 2.