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As South African legend AB de Villiers celebrates his 40th birthday, fans and pundits alike reflect on the formidable challenges he has posed to bowlers throughout his illustrious career.
AB de Villiers’ notable records in international cricket
- AB played 78 innings in Test cricket before registering his first duck against Bangladesh in 2008.
- He smashed the fastest ODI fifty (16 balls) and century (31 balls) against West Indies in January 2015.
- The Protea-born holds the record for the fastest century by a South African in Test cricket (75 balls) against India in 2010.
Three bowlers who troubled AB de Villiers the most
Amidst the birthday celebrations, it’s worth noting that even De Villiers, one of the best batters of modern-day cricket, has faced a fair share of challenges from bowlers over the years.
In his autobiography, De Villiers mentioned the names of bowlers who troubled him the most while batting and they are:
1. Mohammad Asif (Pakistan):
Known for his exceptional swing and seam movement, Mohammad Asif proved to be a thorn in the side of De Villiers on numerous occasions. The Pakistani pacer’s ability to consistently hit the right areas and extract movement off the pitch has often left de Villiers searching for answers at the crease. Their battles have been a captivating display of skill and strategy, with Asif emerging as a potent threat to the South African maestro.
2. Mitchell Johnson (Australia):
Renowned for his express pace and menacing bounce, veteran Australian speedster Mitchell Johnson troubled De Villiers with his hostile bowling on several occasions. Johnson’s ability to generate raw pace and extract steep bounce often unsettled de Villiers, forcing him to adopt a cautious approach at the crease. Their encounters were marked by intense battles and moments of high drama, showcasing the fierce competition between bat and ball.
3. Monty Panesar (England):
A master of spin bowling, Monty Panesar posed a significant challenge to De Villiers with his guile and deception. The England spinner’s ability to turn the ball sharply and exploit any weaknesses in the batsman’s technique often frustrated de Villiers, leading to several memorable duels between the two on the cricket field. Panesar’s crafty bowling was a constant source of trouble for de Villiers, highlighting the enduring battle between bat and ball in the world of cricket.
Also READ: Fans and cricket fraternity unite to wish AB de Villiers on his 40th birthday
Happy Birthday, AB de Villiers 🎂#cricket #SouthAfrica #RCB #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/4lqN3AoYeT
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 17, 2024
As De Villiers celebrates another year of his remarkable journey in cricket, these bowlers serve as a testament to the challenges he has overcome and the enduring legacy he has forged in the cricketing. While the battles may have been intense and the contests fiercely competitive, they ultimately contributed to shaping de Villiers into the cricketing icon that he is today.
