Former South African skipper AB de Villiers returned to the cricket field after he made a debut in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) for the Brisbane Heat against Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba on Tuesday.
De Villiers had a tremendous season in the recently concluded Mzansi Super League, where he finished at the third spot in the leading run-scorers (325) list. He continued the momentum in BBL as he scored a 32-ball 40 to help his team register a victory over Strikers.
What a start to @ABdeVilliers17's #BBL09 campaign.
▪ 40 runs
▪ 32 balls
▪ 5 boundaries
▪ These highlights ⬇ pic.twitter.com/tRDYL5zkCH— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 14, 2020
Earlier, the 35-year-old exhibited his fielding skills as well. During the 10th over of the Strikers innings, De Villiers caught a brilliant catch to dismiss Jonathan Wells.
James Pattinson, who ripped Strikers batting unit to pieces bowled a good length delivery outside off-stump, Wells drove the ball towards cover where De Villiers dived to his front and took a sharp catch.
AB de Villiers takes the sharp catch, and James Pattinson has FIVE! 😲 #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/4oTv9zgo71
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 14, 2020
De Villiers also took a catch off Liam O Connor as Strikers got all out on 110, thanks to James Pattinson, who took five wickets.
In reply, Heat chased down the total with 22 balls to spare and won the match by seven wickets. Pattinson, for his breath-taking bowling, received the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
.@_jamespattinson you STAR 🤩#BringTheHeat #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/Wl9FdcpkDB
— Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) January 14, 2020
Meanwhile, fans on Twitter wholeheartedly welcomed de Villiers’ in BBL.
How lucky are we to have AB De Villiers in #bbl09? We all owe Brisbane Heat a thankyou
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) January 14, 2020
Love watching @ABdeVilliers17 .. #BigBash @FoxCricket
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 14, 2020
Nice debut for @ABdeVilliers17. James Pattinson's spell was unbelievable. Good win @HeatBBL. #BBL09
— Adam (@WiseBirdius87) January 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/SportsBoyShawn/status/1216988651684495361
@ABdeVilliers17 welcome to @BBL ! Great first knock. Next time please sign for @HurricanesBBL
— Andrew James Bryce (@TBsportsfans) January 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/PalekarShavez/status/1216988245977731072
Decent Big Bash debut for AB de Villiers.
— Devvrat Unadkat (@DevvratUnadkat) January 14, 2020
Rashid Khan vs AB De Villiers #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/DeSh9Sm75h
— KFC SuperCoach BBL (@SuperCoachBBL) January 14, 2020
This is what @ABdeVilliers17 did off his very first ball of BBL that too off Rashid ! pic.twitter.com/vBHp5MlDxp
— Dinu AK (@Dinu_Akshi1) January 14, 2020
What a day 🤩 #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/P0FJO107af
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 14, 2020
Popular guy ✍ #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/3cbnpUNcCs
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 14, 2020