AB de Villiers says he can captain South Africa to World Cup title in 2019
Proteas knocked out of Champions Trophy at group stage
Sunday 11 June 2017 19:31, UK
AB de Villiers believes he can captain South Africa to victory in the 2019 Cricket World Cup, despite the Proteas' group-stage exit in the ICC Champions Trophy.
De Villiers' men fell to an eight-wicket thrashing against India at The Oval on Sunday, a result that fired Virat Kohli's charges into the semi-finals at their opponents' expense.
South Africa suffered three run-outs as they lost their final eight wickets for 51 runs, but De Villiers is adamant his side can be contenders in England in two years' time.
"I'm a good captain and I believe I can take this team forward and win the World Cup," said De Villiers, who was run out for 16 against India following scores of four and nought versus Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively.
"Not a lot of people believe me but I feel it is pretty close - it is very difficult to say that after a performance like this but that is what I believe in my heart.
"There's more than enough talent and we've just got to get it right when it matters most."
Reflecting on the Proteas' defeat to India, who chased down their target with 12 overs to spare, De Villiers added: "It is always very disappointing when we lose but the way we lost was the most disappointing.
"Through soft dismissals we lost our way and that was the part that hurt the most. Run-outs happen but three in one innings is not how we want to play our cricket that is for sure.
"We do come up short for some reason in tournaments like this and it is pretty sad. I can't explain to you exactly what happens.
"It has nothing to do with the energy or the intensity or the belief in the team. We felt we had a great chance [against India] and then we just unraveled."
South Africa will next be in action in a three-match T20I series against England, with games taking place at The Ageas Bowl (June 21), Taunton (June 23) and Cardiff (June 25).
The tourists will then tackle new England Test captain Joe Root and his side in a four-match Test series, starting at Lord's on July 6.
England v South Africa
1st T20 (Ageas Bowl): Wednesday 21 June
2nd T20 (Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton): Friday 23 June
3rd T20 (The SSE SWALEC): Sunday 25 June
1st Test (Lord's): 6-10 July
2nd Test (Trent Bridge): 14-18 July
3rd Test (Kia Oval): 27-31 July
4th Test (Emirates Old Trafford): 4-8 August
