The genius that is AB

The genius that is AB
by @MikeHaysman



When AB went to his 24th one-day international century on Sunday at Newlands Nasser Hussein enthused on air that he is a genius.

Genius: an exceptionally intelligent person or one with exceptional skill in a particular area of activity.

Nasser was accurate.

AB de Villiers thinks differently from others. His exceptional ability is one thing but his thinking in various situations elevates him to another level. For example, when he dropped himself down the order in the final game and advanced Rilee Rossouw to number four when South Africa were reeling at 14 for two, he did so for a calculated reason.

"I like to push myself a little bit down when we are chasing. I feel I handle the pressure situations well and that's why I want to be there at the end," De Villiers said at the post-match press conference.

"You live for those pressure moments," added AB. "It has taken me years to feel comfortable and to feel like I have good composure in those situations."

From the moment the third wicket fell and he strode to the centre he had total control. It just seemed inevitable that the skipper, who was not enjoying a normal run of form, was going to steer South Africa to an outstanding 'come from behind' record-breaking series victory. He just went about his business in a calculated fashion and accumulated as though that recent string of ducks had been well and truly forgotten.

He needed support initially and found a more than willing ally in South Africa's rock, Hashim Amla. Importantly, towards the end of South Africa's innings with AB cramping, David Wiese provided impetus in spectacular style to get South Africa over the line.

Back to AB. Did you feel the same as me? Did you just know that in a crunch situation he was going to be the clutch player and get a hundred? If you get the chance, check out the highlights again and concentrate on the way he commanded the stage.

It was almost as though he had planned his assault for days. He realised he had been below par recently and his brilliance had not influenced the outcome of a test or an ODI. He was destined to shine. He was determined and he was 'living the moment' with good composure and comfortably absorbing any pressure that came his way.

When South Africa were bowling and Joe Root came to the crease we saw another example of how AB thinks differently from mere mortals. The tactics the skipper employed were unique for a limited overs game to say the least. At one stage there was even a leg slip and a leg gully.

The risk was that South Africa abandoned their determined conservative line and length strategy for a barrage of short pitched bowling and that both Root and Hales adapted quickly and got off to a flyer. To a certain extent that happened and dismayed a few in the commentary box, but a careful plan should have resulted in the dismissal of England's star.

After being constantly bombed by quick bouncers that he often played uncomfortably, Root was out-thought by a perfectly planned pitched up delivery and edged the ball to the slips. Amla unfortunately grassed a simple chance that would have earned rave reviews for the captain's strategy had it been snaffled.

Thankfully Root was sent on his way soon after, but the point is that few international skippers would have braved the unorthodox and utilised that attacking plan.

Just imagine how dismal the summer against the English would have been if South Africa had not won the Momentum one-dayinternational series after losing the test series.

AB had different ideas. His wisdom, artistry and flair delivered silverware.

My guess is he is not finished yet. Forty overs of batting are left in South Africa's international cricket summer. That's plenty of time for a genius.

AB de Villiers has a very difficult task on his hands carrying a transitioning South Africa side. None of the other batsmen really seem up to the task in Test Cricket. Plus he has to keep wickets too because quota restrictions do not allow a white replacement for the wicketkeeper.