South African legend makes reassuring statement ahead of 2019 Cricket World Cup

Former South African top order batsman Herschelle Gibbs has suggested that the South African team will be able to cope in spite of the shock retirement of former captain AB De Villiers from all forms of international cricket last year.

Even though most people do not have high expectations of the Proteas ahead of the tournament, Gibbs feels that they are always up there with the favourites.

“We, South Africa, are always up there irrespective of AB. We have got Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock. The only issue for South Africa is not having an all-rounder,” he told SA Cricket Mag.

The international retirement of De Villiers was largely viewed as a shock by the international cricket community, especially as it came before a World Cup year. De Villiers had also been open about his desire to win an international trophy with the Proteas in the past. It also came when he was 34 years old, meaning that he would have likely had a few more good years of international cricket left in him.

Even though De Villiers is done with international cricket, he still continues to entertain audiences throughout the world by participating in various T20 Leagues. He is currently playing for the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League.

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England and India are going into the 2019 World Cup as the favourites; South Africa are not among the frontrunners, considering their lack of big match temperament, as well as due to the inexperienced batting lineup they will be fielding in the tournament.

The ten teams participating in the tournament will all play each other with the top four on the standings advancing to the semi-finals. South Africa play the opening match of the World Cup against England at The Oval in London on May 30.