The most versatile batsman on the planet, AB de Villiers is playing his 100th Test in his adopted home town of Bangalore. He played 98 Tests in a row from his debut in 2004 before getting a well deserved rest for the two-Test series in Bangladesh in July & August. So Mirpur's loss is Bangalore's gain!
AB's exploits in ODIs are well known. He holds the record for the fastest century in ODI history off just 31 balls against the West Indies earlier this year. But he's also a terrific Test player as indicated by his average of 51.92 in the longest format of the game.
Here are five of his most memorable moments in Test cricket.
217 not out vs India in Ahmedabad
AB's highest Test score is an unbeaten 278 against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in 2010. That match was drawn, so it's safe to say that AB doesn't rate it very highly. But his only other double ton came in a winning cause in 2008. The track at Motera was not the easiest to bat on. India were skittled out for 76 on the opening day and South Africa were stuttering at 117/4 when de Villiers walked in and smashed a double ton. The visitors eventually wrapped up an innings victory inside three days.
106 not out vs Australia in Perth
Later in 2008, South Africa were set a mammoth target of 414 by Australia at the WACA. There has been only one higher run chase that ended in victory in Test history. Skipper Graeme Smith hit a ton but fell soon after and when AB walked in at 179/3, the match still hung in the balance. With plenty of time left in the game, AB calmly knocked off the runs in the company of first Jacques Kallis and later JP Duminy. He completed his ton just before South Africa completed a famous win.
129 vs India in Centurion
Among the numerous records AB holds is the fastest ton by a South African in Tests. It came in just 75 balls and it was India again which bore the brunt of his wrath in 2010. After the tourists were rolled over by Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn for 136, South Africa piled on the runs. Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis provided the cake while AB added the icing on top of it. He was eventually dismissed by Ishant Sharma for 129 off 112 balls, including five sixes. South Africa declared on 620/4 as soon as he fell and won by an innings.
33 vs Australia in Adelaide
No, this isn't a typo. We are indeed referring to a knock of just 33 by AB that was part of an extraordinary rearguard action by South Africa back in 2012. Set 430 for victory, the Proteas were reduced to 45/4 when AB was joined by his old schoolmate Faf du Plessis. The duo decided to close down the shutters rather than chase an improbable victory. AB was finally dismissed for 33 off 220 balls at the measly strike rate of 15! But he had eaten up valuable time and du Plessis duly completed the job of saving the Test with an unbeaten ton.
103 not out vs Pakistan in Johannesburg
AB made an unbeaten 103 at the Wanderers as South Africa steamrolled Pakistan by 211 runs in 2013. But that was not his only contribution to the South African victory. de Villiers also kept wickets in the Test and ended up with 11 dismissals, equalling the world record held by Jack Russell. In fact this all-round feat is unique in Test history. No other wicket keeper has scored a century and completed 10 or more dismissals in a Test, yet another record for the 31-year-old from Pretoria.
