Johannesburg - For the first time in the history of South African cricket, a suite at a major ground will be named after a player who is still representing the national team.
South African One-Day International (ODI) captain AB de Villiers, at 30 already a fast-evolving global icon, will have a suite named after him at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
“He is a gifted player whose contributions on and off the field, from junior cricket to senior representative phases for the Titans and South Africa, have endeared him to thousands of cricket fans locally and internationally,” Titans chief executive Jacques Faul said.
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness and others have greatness bestowed upon them. AB is the embodiment of greatness in all three formats of the game.”
Northerns Cricket Union president John Wright congratulated De Villiers and hoped more current and former players would be honoured in a similar way.
“Some of the soon-to-be-nominated former players have excelled against all odds, against historical disadvantages,” Wright said.
“They have contributed to the Titans' production line of players who have propelled the franchise to one of the top positions of the domestic game.
“Their role in the transformation of the game as well as the Titans' successful pursuit of domestic glory will be celebrated and acknowledged in suitable style.”
De Villiers has scored 40 international centuries while representing South Africa in 98 Tests and 179 ODIs.
He has an enviable record, averaging 52.16 in ODIs and 52.09 in Test cricket.
The South African skipper made global headlines in the second ODI against the West Indies in Johannesburg recently, scoring the fastest century, off 31 balls, in the 50-over format.
His stand of 149 off 44 balls, with nine fours and sixteen sixes, helped the Proteas set up a total of 439 for two, the biggest total by South Africa in ODIs.
“AB is an inspirational captain who leads from the front but his humility, his graciousness and selflessness and his humanity have made him one of South Africa's most beloved players,” Faul said.
“He is an ambassador and trail-blazer for the game of cricket and is leaving a proud legacy.
“The gesture of naming a suite after him is well-deserved and an apt salute to a living legend.”
Sapa