A.B. de Villiers makes it clear beyond any doubt that he is not a sentimental man.
For all the significance of Saturday’s milestone, he gives the impression that the only thing that would please him is a South African victory in the second Test. “I don't feel any pressure because it’s my 100th Test; I feel pressure because we’re 1-0 down in the series,” de Villiers said at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Thursday.
“It's a huge honour to play my 100th Test and I never in my life thought I’ll be in this kind of position. I feel humbled and privileged. But I just want to have an impact on the game. I want to get us into a position where we can win this Test match and get back into the series.”
There was no time, de Villiers suggested, for any dewy-eyed reflection on his career. “I don’t like looking back too much; I’ve got lots of time after my career to do that,” he said.
“I don’t like to celebrate my own achievements. There's a function tonight (Thursday), which I’m not too happy about. But at the end of the day, they are going to be special memories for me. I’ll enjoy the function and enjoy the Test match but definitely no celebrations at the moment.”
Asked to pick out the best memories of his career, which began with his Test debut against England in December 2004, de Villiers did not choose any moment of individual glory, but instead pointed in the direction of South Africa’s overseas series wins. “It tells a story about the character we have in the side, the resilience – not only as a cricket team but a nation as well,” he said.
de Villiers placing the team above himself was the thread that ran through his 17-minute press conference. “I’ve read a part in a book where the All Blacks say that it’s not about the individual but it’s about leaving the jersey in a better place for those who’re coming after you,” he said.
“That’s what it’s ultimately all about: to motivate the next generation. To dominate world cricket is ultimately the goal.”
The 31-year-old sought to disabuse anyone listening of the notion that he was a ‘nice guy’ on the field. “I’ll do whatever it takes for us to win games of cricket,” he said. “If I have to sledge, I’ll get involved like that. I’ll try and intimidate a player if I have to. I’ll try and get Virat (Kohli) off his game by talking about his technique and little flaws. I don’t mind doing things like that. I’m not a nice guy on the field and I’ve never really respected a guy who’s been a ‘nice guy’ on the field. I want opposition to be hard, to play to win the game for their team.”
Away from the action, though, it is a different matter. “Off the field, I try and be a good human being,” de Villiers said. “It goes a lot deeper than that; it’s got nothing to do with cricket.”
