Barbados Tridents star batsman AB de Villiers has admitted his excitement about beginning a new chapter in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tonight against Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) at Queen’s Park Oval (9pm) and the South African says that the fire inside still burns bright as ever to impress.
Speaking to broadcaster Mark Butcher on the eve of his CPL debut against TKR, the 32-year-old prolific run-scorer across all three formats of the game said the he is determined to
“I have watched CPL over the last few years and it looks like a lot of fun. I love touring here. I have fond memories of my first away tour with South Africa in 2005 and every tour since then I’ve really enjoyed so much.
“When a window of opportunity came for us to join in, it was a very easy answer for me to come and join over here. If you hit that reset button all the time, and keep challenging yourself (to) try to get better at what you do. I still love what I do…I still have a lot of pride in my performances and like performing every time I play.
“I’m nervous again! It’s the start of a new season at the CPL, a new chapter and the butterflies are going again of wanting to perform, wanting to impress. So I don’t think that will ever go away. I don’t see myself as a big player or an ambassador, but I do have responsibilities to make the game bigger, or bigger than it already is because it’s so huge, and to make sure that people around the world keep getting that message that it’s such a fantastic sport to be a part of.
“I get opportunities to play with guys like (Kieron) Pollard and some really standout players. Some of my local as well (such as) Robin Peterson, Wayne Parnell and Dave Wiese are also here and to get to know some of the youngsters in the team as well and to hopefully have a good influence on their careers in a way.
“All in all, it’s a very exciting chapter in my career opening up again and I know I’ll enjoy every second of it and have a few impactful innings for the team.” (cplt20)
