LONDON: South Africa’s former batting legend AB de Villiers made a remarkable last-ditch offer to come out of international retirement for this summer’s World Cup, but was rebuffed by the South Africa team management on the eve of their final squad announcement, ESPN Cricinforeported on Thursday. 

According to Cricinfo, the offer was made in May, just 24 hours before South Africa’s selectors unveiled their final 15-man squad for the World Cup.

De Villiers is believed to have approached South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis, head coach Ottis Gibson and convenor of selectors Linda Zondi, expressing his desire to reverse his retirement, but was told that this would not be possible. According to people privy to the talks, de Villiers’ request was “not even considered”.