Canberra, Oct 27 (UNI) AB de Villiers has decided to skip the upcoming Big Bash League 2020 tournament as the veteran batsman and his wife are expecting their third child.
De Villiers also said that uncertainties surrounding travel and conditions due to the Covid-19 situation played a part in him opting out for the season.
The experienced batsman is currently playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2020 and has been in fine form scoring 324 runs at an average of 54.
AB de Villiers penned a contract with the BBL franchise last season and ended up with 146 runs at an average of 24.33.
Coach Darren Lehmann said Brisbane had been keen to re-sign the South African, who is currently playing in the Indian Premier League, but factors emerged that “changed everyone’s plans”.
"While things initially looked fine for him to come back, there have been a few factors emerging which have changed everyone's plans.The main one, aside from the challenges represented by Covid-19 and international travel, is that AB and his wife Danielle are expecting their third child very soon,' Lehmann said.
"Naturally we're very pleased for them and know that the next few months will be a very special time for all. We'll stay in contact and see what develops. He has been in excellent touch in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore, so he obviously remains a player we'd like to keep working with when the circumstances allow," he added.
De Villiers said he intended to return to the Heat once the situation improved.
"It's exciting for Danielle and me with the arrival of our new baby very soon. So with a young, growing family, and the uncertainty around travel and conditions due to Covid-19, we reluctantly decided it wasn't going to be this season,' de Villiers said in a post shared by the franchise, Brisbane Heat, on Twitter.
'The Heat were great to us last season and I am very open to returning to the club in the future. The team didn't get the results we were hoping for and I consider there is some unfinished business to deal with," he added.
On the other hand, Brisbane have retained the services of Afghan off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman for this year’s tournament.
The spinner bagged three wickets at an economy rate of 6.16 last season. He is currently playing for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.
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