AB de Villiers steps down as Proteas ODI captain

In a shocking move, South Africa swashbuckling batsman AB de Villiers has stepped down as the captain of the one-day international side after leading them for past six years.

Announcing the news, the 33-year-old said he had informed Cricket South Africa about his decision.

"I have informed Cricket South Africa that I would like to step down as captain of the ODI team. It has been an honour to lead the team for the past six years, but it is now time for someone else to take the ODI side forward. Whoever is chosen as the new ODI captain will have my complete support," de Villiers said via a video posted on his official Twitter account.

In January, De Villiers announced that he would be a taking a break from Test format in order to shift his focus entirely on ODIs and T20. He has also not appeared in the longest format of the game since January last year as he struggled with injury over much of the past 18 months.

De Villiers, however, now made it clear that he would be available to play in all the three formats of the game from October when the Proteas will begin their home season.

"Following this recent break, I really do feel refreshed and revived. I want to get back on the field and I have today assured the national selectors that I will be available for selection in all three formats of the game during the coming season. There is plenty of hard work ahead in the nets and I must prepare properly, but I will be ready to play, if required, from the middle of October onwards," he added.

De Villiers also took a jibe at those who had critised his much talked-about absence from Test cricket, saying that he along with Cricket South Africa tried to develop a viable schedule in order to prolong his cricketing career.

"A lot has been said and written over the past 12 months, and I feel it is time to make my position absolutely clear. Over the past year or so, I have tried to manage many commitments. I have felt mentally and physically tired; my wife and I are bringing up two fantastic kids and playing in all three formats ever since 2004 has taken its toll. Together with Cricket South Africa, we have tried to develop a viable schedule which allows me to prolong my career for as long as possible," he said.

"This strategy has prompted some people to say I am picking and choosing when to play for the Proteas, and even to suggest I am somehow putting myself before the team. That is simply not true. That has never been true. Playing for South Africa is, and will always be, the greatest privilege of my life, " de Villiers added.

De Villiers has notched up 8,074 runs in 106 Tests, including 21 centuries, he played so far for the country at an average of 50.46.