Having smashed another half-century for Middlesex last night at Lord’s in the Vitality Blast London derby against Surrey, his third fifty in just five games, AB de Villiers confirmed last night that he will return to Middlesex for the end of the 2019 Vitality Blast campaign.
Whilst previously publicised that de Villiers would be returning for the knockout stages of the competition should Middlesex have qualified, de Villiers himself last night confirmed to a live Sky Cricket audience that he will in fact return for Middlesex’s final two group matches of the competition ahead of the knockout stages and would be available for the quarter-final clash and Finals Day at Edgbaston if the side progresses.
Mr 360 has been a revelation since joining Stuart Law’s side, hitting knocks of 88* on debut against Essex, 88 against Somerset at Richmond and then last night’s 64 against Surrey at Lord’s. His tally of 253 runs have been scored at an average of 84.33 – the highest of any batsman in the competition to date, at an incredible strike-rate of 191.66.
De Villiers leaves Middlesex sat in third place in the South Group table, just two points off top spot, with a crucial clash against league leaders Sussex in Hove up next this evening – a match that would see Middlesex go top if they win.
Should Middlesex be in the frame for qualification, de Villiers will return for the remainder of the tournament, starting with Middlesex’s away match at Southampton against Hampshire on Thursday 29th August.
