AB pulls out of Big Bash

Melbourne, May 12 

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South African legend AB de Villiers has decided to pull out of the next edition of Big Bash League (BBL) after initially committing to play during the final phase of the tournament. 

While Cricket Australia has decided to make it a 14-match league affair on a home-and-away basis, there is a possibility that a lot of big names will not be available for the better part of the tournament due to a cramped international calendar. De Villiers was willing to play for a “limited stretch towards its concluding stages” but has now turned his back on the league after realising that both Cricket Australia and Big Bash League wanted maximum leverage from the Proteas legend’s participation and lift the dwindling TV ratings.

De Villiers’ presence is a necessity for BBL and CA because in January, some of the biggest Australian names will first be busy playing Test series against New Zealand and then travel to India for the ODI series. All the top T20 freelancers like the West Indies’ Andre Russell may decide on bargaining for better deals considering that the Australian board needs saleable names for sustaining the viewers’ interest. — PTI