I'm ready for Test captaincy, says AB de Villiers

With Smith’s retirement, AB de Villiers says he’s ready to take the responsibility of leading the side in Test cricket

South Africa’s explosive batsman, AB de Villiers is all set to lead his country in Test matches. The right-hand batsman took over the reigns of one day international and Twenty20 team after Graeme Smith’s retirement in 2011. De Villiers, who is also a wicket-keeper admitted that he would prefer captaincy over wicket-keeping.

“Preferably I wouldn’t like to do the keeping job if I am captain. It will be very difficult to juggle all of that together. But if I have to do all of it, I have never shied away from a challenge. It will be a great challenge to be a captain and to do whatever they want me to do,” de Villiers said in an interview to ESPNcricinfo.

In the absence of de Villiers as the wicket-keeper, it is most likely that Quinton de Kock will be given the opportunity of keeping the wickets. When asked about his experience as a captain in the shorter formats of the game, the 30-year-old said, “I have led in the shorter version – it’s been a great ride and I have learnt so much. I am certainly ready to take over the Test captaincy.”

“I would love to do it. It’s up to the people above me to decide who will be the best guy to do the job. Whoever gets it, I hope he will have full support from the team, from the staff and from the administrators. He will have my support if it’s not me but if it is me I will give it my best shot and hope to do a good job.” he added.

As a captain, de Villiers’s first challenge will be against Sri Lanka in the July Test series.

“I see opportunity that comes with that. We’ve lost some big names but some new players will get the opportunity to become heroes in the country. It’s important for senior guys like myself, Hashim (Amla), Dale (Steyn), JP to move forward and to take that culture that Graeme, Jacques (Kallis) and Mark (Boucher) left behind. We have to show them the way. I am looking forward to the challenge of taking the team forward.” a determined de Villiers said.