AB de Villiers hoping for change of fortunes at World Cups

South Africa remains one of the most exciting and talented cricketing teams. However, despite the buzz the Proteas had the infamous history of losing out at crucial stages, most notably during the World Cups, which have brought them the title of chokers in the cricketing universe.

South African ODI skipper and one of the leading batsmen in the world AB de Villiers wants to change all that.

The batsman has been out of the international arena for the past six months due to an elbow injury, and is due to make an international comeback against Sri Lanka in the third Twenty20.

However, the Proteas leader is not planning to return to Test cricket, as he will be unavailable for the Test series against the New Zealand in March, as he has only one goal on his mind i.e. ICC World Cup 2019.

Over the last few years something has come to mind, which is the fact that we haven't won a World Cup yet. And for me to make it to the 2019 World Cup, I can't really be serious in every format, said AB de Villiers, quoted Cricbuzz.

"So I've made myself unavailable for the New Zealand Test series. I will be there for the ODIs, and I'm definitely not retiring from Test cricket because I have plans to come back at some stage. For me, for now the most important thing is the 2019 World Cup. I want to make sure we get there, I want to make sure we lift that trophy. That's the first goal for me," he added.

De Villiers was appointed as South Africas Test captain in January 2016, but gave up the position in December when it became clear that he would miss a third straight series through injury.