• AB ready to go big in Australia

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    AB de Villiers is ready to deliver for the Brisbane Heat as he makes his 2020 Big Bash debut against the Adelaide Strikers on Tuesday.

    The South African, affectionately dubbed ‘AB360’ due to his penchant for unrestricted shot-making, will need to be at his best with his side sitting in fifth after eight games thanks to a 50% win ratio.

    The 35-year-old brings a wealth of experience, having played over 300 T20 games, and some fine form after excelling with the Tshwane Spartans in the recent MSL2.0.

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    He added 325 at 152.58 in the franchise’s route to the final.

    ‘I had a fantastic tournament in South Africa, had a few good knocks, felt in some of the best form of my career, so hopefully we’ll see more of that in this tournament,’ said De Villiers.

    Heat fans will be pleased to hear that one of the game’s biggest entertainers of the past decade has no intention of arriving to pick up a cheque but, rather, he is looking to play a big role for the team.

    ‘Whether it’s a club game or a World Cup semi-final, I feel the same pressure when I go out to bat,’ he said.

    ‘I’ve always got that pressure I put on myself to perform at the best of my ability. I’ve done it so many times, it doesn’t guarantee success but I know what to expect, I know the butterflies are a good sign generally. All I can do is go out and enjoy myself, make sure I have a good influence on my teammates and make sure I have an impact on the game with bat in hand. Then there’s the fielding and the off-field stuff, I have big role to play as an individual and not just a cricketer.’

    De Villiers replaces Tom Banton in the squad and is looking to go large with captain Tom Lynn.

    ‘It could be interesting,’ added the South African. 

    ‘I don’t know what to expect to be honest. I’ve a feeling it’s going to work and will be nice to watch.’

    Photo: Gallo Images

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