IT’S a story that has sent shock waves around the sporting world, but former Protea teast captain, AB de Villiers, has announced his retirement from international cricket.  The 34-year-old announced his retirement on his own app posting a video saying he was ‘tired’.

De Villiers played in 114 Test matches, 228 one-day internationals and 78 Twenty20 matches for the Proteas.

“This is a tough decision. I’ve thought long and hard about it, after 114 Test matches, 228 one-day internationals and 78 Twenty20 matches, it is time for others to take over…to be honest, I’m tired. I’ve thought long and hard about it and I’d like to retire still playing decent cricket…For me, in green and gold, it must be everything or nothing,” he said.

I’ve made a big decision today pic.twitter.com/In0jyquPOK

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 23, 2018

His final appearance for South Africa came in Johannesburg, where the Proteas beat Australia by 492 runs and clinched the series 3-1.

De Villiers has been a colossus to world cricekt and holds several milestones including the World Record for the fastest ODI 50 (16 balls), 100 (31 balls) and 150 (64 balls) and the second highest individual Test score for South Africa (278*).

The news has come as a shock to many with thousands of cricket lovers taking to Twitter to thank de Villiers for his contribution to world cricket.

This is how how the cricketing world reacted to the news:

#ABdeVilliers played cricket exactly as it should be played. As fun. As an adventure. As joy.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 23, 2018

Sad day for @OfficialCSA and cricket in general, he will be missed!! 🇿🇦🏏 #ABD https://t.co/gKKtq4HAYp

— Marizanne Kapp (@kappie777) May 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/AllanDonald33/status/999257164857462784

Thank you @ABdeVilliers17 🙏🏽 my mind will miss being blown away. Honored to have shared a dressing room with you.

— Beuran Hendricks (@Beuran_H13) May 23, 2018

I remember this young guy on his 1st day out for Proteas… What an inspiration, person and player he turned out to be. Thank you for everything you have done and been for your country, teammates and fans @ABdeVilliers17 #legend pic.twitter.com/8gQBDWbAp7

— Mark Boucher (@markb46) May 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/hershybru/status/999265009489281030

Such a shame for international cricket @ABdeVilliers17 … But he has been an unbelievable advert to how I would have loved to have played all 3 formats .. GREAT GREAT Player … Top 3 that I have ever seen .. #AB

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 23, 2018

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