Latest news with #ABdeVilliers
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First Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
AB de Villiers calls for changes in WTC format despite South Africa's historic win at Lord's: 'Something needs to be done'
Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers exposes the flaws in the current World Test Championship format and shared ideas on how the ICC can fix it. Will ICC pay heed to him? read more Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers wants changes in the World Test Championship (WTC) format to make it fair for all teams. South Africa recently won the WTC 2025 final at the Lord's with De Villiers in attendance. This was South Africa's second ICC title win and first-ever world trophy, but critics have questioned them playing fewer matches against the top teams in the 2023-25 cycle as compared to the losing finalist, Australia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD AB de Villiers calls for changes in WTC format Reacting to the historic WTC final win, De Villiers said that it will instill a newfound belief in the South African cricket team, but also added that changes are required in the WTC format. 'We've had some very disappointing and sad ends to a lot of campaigns, especially the World Cups, but now it's time to start believing that we can do this more often,' he told BBC World Service's Stumped podcast. More from First Cricket '[This moment] won't be lost. It was too big and too special for all South Africans – it was a Test match no one will ever forget. But yes, to a certain extent, something needs to be done.' Also Read | Four-day Tests could become a reality in 2027–29 WTC cycle De Villiers suggested that instead of having a two-year WTC cycle, it can be spread over four years, allowing all teams to play against each other and creating a more balanced schedule. 'I saw the schedule that came out for the next cycle of the WTC and there is an improvement, but I still feel there's work that needs to be done there to just to get it as consistent as possible and as fair as possible for all for all Test-playing nations.' Also Read | After years of veering towards gates of cricketing hell, South Africa pitch up in paradise with WTC triumph 'You want to get to that final feeling like you've played against all these nations,' De Villiers added. 'Maybe a four-year cycle would be nice. We've done that in the past with one-day internationals, so why not in Test cricket? It would make sense and it would give the organisers just so much more time to get a really fair, well-balanced system out there.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
AB de Villiers proposes World Cup-style 4-year cycle for WTC: ‘We've done that with ODIs, why not with Tests?'
AB de Villiers was among the many South African legends at Lord's when the Proteas ended their nearly three-decade long wait for a major title by winning the World Test Championship. While their six-wicket win over Australia in the marquee Test match has led to an outpouring of joy and emotion, there have also been a lot of voices questioning the legitimacy of of their status at Test world champions considering the significantly fewer Test matches that South Africa played against the top teams compared to Australia. De Villiers said that the value of South Africa's win can never be diminished but something needs to be done to make the WTC cycle fairer for all Test playing nations. 'We've had some very disappointing and sad ends to a lot of campaigns, especially the World Cups, but now it's time to start believing that we can do this more often,' he told BBC World Service's Stumped podcast. '[This moment] won't be lost. It was too big and too special for all South Africans – it was a Test match no one will ever forget. But yes, to a certain extent, something needs to be done.' De Villiers said that while the next WTC schedule shows some improvement, an increased length for the whole cycle might help everyone. 'I saw the schedule that came out for the next cycle of the WTC and there is an improvement, but I still feel there's work that needs to be done there to just to get it as consistent as possible and as fair as possible for all for all Test-playing nations.' 'You want to get to that final feeling like you've played against all these nations,' De Villiers added. 'Maybe a four-year cycle would be nice. We've done that in the past with one-day internationals, so why not in Test cricket? It would make sense and it would give the organisers just so much more time to get a really fair, well-balanced system out there.' Conversely, the phenomenon is only part of a larger problem in world cricket where countries outside of India, Australia and England have complained about lack of chances to play as many Test matches as possible. South Africa themselves don't host a Test match until October 2026, almost a year and four months after their WTC victory. The win also comes amidst concerns over the health of the longest format of the game in South Africa but De Villiers said that this achievement will increase anticipation in his country for the next encounter. 'It's a long time until our next Test match, but there's no doubt it won't be forgotten. I've absolutely no doubt the Proteas have sort of stirred the emotions of the South African cricketing fans and they will patiently wait for that next encounter,' he said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
World Test Championship: 'Something needs to be done,' AB de Villiers proposes change to WTC format
South Africa beat Australia to win the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final. (AP) Former South Africa cricket captain AB de Villiers has called for changes to the World Test Championship (WTC) format, as the 2025-2027 cycle began on Tuesday with Bangladesh taking on Sri Lanka. His comments come after South Africa's victory over Australia in the 2023-2025 WTC final at Lord's, with the new cycle starting just five days after the conclusion of the previous one. The WTC format has faced criticism during the previous cycle, particularly regarding South Africa's qualification for the final. Questions were raised about the fairness of the points system and scheduling, with critics highlighting disparities in the number of matches played and the strength of opposition faced by different teams. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "[This moment] won't be lost. But yes, to a certain extent, something needs to be done. I saw the schedule that came out for the next cycle of the WTC and there is an improvement, but I still feel there's work that needs to be done there to just to get it as consistent as possible and as fair as possible for all for all Test-playing nations," de Villiers told BBC Sport . 'South Africa kept fighting, deserved champions': Pat Cummins De Villiers has proposed extending the WTC cycle to four years, allowing for a more comprehensive competition structure where all participating nations can face each other. "You want to get to that final feeling like you've played against all these nations. Maybe a four-year cycle would be nice. We've done that in the past with one-day internationals, so why not in Test cricket? It would make sense and it would give the organisers just so much more time to get a really fair, well-balanced system out there," he stated. The upcoming 2025-2027 WTC cycle began with Sri Lanka hosting Bangladesh in a two-match series and will continue with India taking on England in a five-match series. The scheduling of the new cycle has drawn attention, as it begins almost immediately after the conclusion of the previous final, leaving minimal transition time between the two periods. De Villiers, who witnessed South Africa's historic WTC victory at Lord's, expressed confidence in the lasting impact of this achievement on South African cricket. "It's a long time until our next Test match, but there's no doubt it won't be forgotten. I've absolutely no doubt the Proteas have sort of stirred the emotions of the South African cricketing fans and they will patiently wait for that next encounter," he remarked. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
AB de Villiers unmasks flaws in WTC format days after South Africa's historic triumph: ‘Something needs to be done'
South Africa legend AB de Villiers has given his honest take on the World Test Championship format and stated that something needs to be done to change things. The upcoming WTC cycle for 2025–2027 is set to kick off with a marquee five-match Test series between India and England, beginning in late June this year. This highly anticipated series will start just five days after the conclusion of the 2023–2025 WTC final, which saw South Africa dethrone Australia at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground to become the new champions. With little time to reset between cycles, the India-England clash will set the tone for the new championship race. The WTC format drew criticism during the previous cycle after South Africa secured a spot in the final, sparking debate among fans and experts alike. Many questioned the fairness of the points system and scheduling, arguing that South Africa's qualification route was less challenging compared to fellow finalists Australia. Critics pointed to fewer matches played and a perceived imbalance in opposition strength, raising concerns over whether the current structure truly reflects the best-performing teams over the course of the cycle. The former Proteas skipper admitted that something needs to be done to tweak the WTC format, suggesting that some improvements have already been made in the next cycle. '[This moment] won't be lost. But yes, to a certain extent, something needs to be done. I saw the schedule that came out for the next cycle of the WTC and there is an improvement, but I still feel there's work that needs to be done there to just to get it as consistent as possible and as fair as possible for all for all Test-playing nations," De Villiers told BBC Sport. He further advised for a four-year cycle in future where every participating team can face each other. 'You want to get to that final feeling like you've played against all these nations. Maybe a four-year cycle would be nice. We've done that in the past with one-day internationals, so why not in Test cricket? It would make sense and it would give the organisers just so much more time to get a really fair, well-balanced system out there," he added. De Villiers, who was present at Lord's when South Africa lifted the WTC mace, talked about the historic moment in Proteas cricket history. 'It's a long time until our next Test match, but there's no doubt it won't be forgotten. I've absolutely no doubt the Proteas have sort of stirred the emotions of the South African cricketing fans and they will patiently wait for that next encounter," he concluded.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
De Villiers calls for WTC change despite SA victory
South Africa beat Australia at Lord's to win their first global men's title since 1998 [Getty Images] South Africa's World Test Championship triumph "stirred the emotions" of the country, but there is "still work to be done" on the format, says Proteas legend AB de Villiers. Temba Bavuma's side beat Australia by five wickets in the Lord's final last week to end the country's 27-year wait for a men's global title. Advertisement The victory comes after a number of near misses in International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments that earned the Proteas their unwanted "chokers" tag, but De Villiers hopes that can now become a thing of the past. "We've had some very disappointing and sad ends to a lot of campaigns, especially the World Cups, but now it's time to start believing that we can do this more often," he told BBC World Service's Stumped podcast. Building on their Test success may be tricky, though, as South Africa play only four Tests in the next 16 months - two in Zimbabwe in the next month, that are not part of the World Test Championship, and two in India in November. Any sort of victorious homecoming for the red-ball side will have to wait even longer with the Proteas' next home Tests not scheduled until October 2026, when they face Australia in a three-match series. Advertisement "[This moment] won't be lost," De Villiers said. "It was too big and too special for all South Africans - it was a Test match no one will ever forget. "But yes, to a certain extent, something needs to be done. "I saw the schedule that came out for the next cycle of the WTC and there is an improvement, but I still feel there's work that needs to be done there to just to get it as consistent as possible and as fair as possible for all for all Test-playing nations." The 2025-27 WTC cycle began on Tuesday and, as it stands, the number of Tests each team plays over the two years varies significantly. Advertisement South Africa played 12 matches to qualify for the recent final, the joint-fewest of the nine sides and 10 fewer than England, who played the most, with percentage of points earned used to determine the standings. There is also a discrepancy in who each nation plays, with some highlighting a favourable schedule for the Proteas in 2023-25 qualifying that meant they played just two home Tests against India and did not face Australia or England at all. By contrast, in the new cycle they have the two aforementioned Tests in India and host both Australia and England for three Tests apiece in 2026 and early 2027. "You want to get to that final feeling like you've played against all these nations," De Villiers added. Advertisement "Maybe a four-year cycle would be nice. We've done that in the past with one-day internationals, so why not in Test cricket? "It would make sense and it would give the organisers just so much more time to get a really fair, well-balanced system out there. "It's a long time until our next Test match, but there's no doubt it won't be forgotten. "I've absolutely no doubt the Proteas have sort of stirred the emotions of the South African cricketing fans and they will patiently wait for that next encounter." Listen to the full interview with South Africa great AB de Villiers on the Stumped podcast, available on BBC Sounds, from Thursday.
