<p class="title">Coach Ottis Gibson admitted on Monday that the retirement from international cricket of AB de Villiers was a blow to South Africa's hopes of winning the Cricket World Cup next year.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Gibson revealed that he had spoken to De Villiers the day before last week's announcement by the star batsman but had been unable to convince him to change his mind.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We had a conversation," said Gibson, who was briefing journalists ahead of the South African squad getting together to undergo their annual fitness and medical assessments.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"He called me the morning before he made the announcement," said Gibson. "We had a long conversation around whether he was making the right decision. He reckons he is. He has spoken to the people in his close circle."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Gibson said De Villiers' decision had been a shock to him. "He is one of the best players in the world. He could have made a huge difference in the World Cup and he knows that... he's chosen to walk away from the game at this time and it is what it is."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Gibson said the World Cup in England and Wales in June 2019 was still a year away. "We'll have to alter our plans obviously but it gives us enough time to do that."</p>.<p class="bodytext">De Villiers, 34, announced his retirement last Wednesday, saying he was "tired" after a 14-year international career during which he was hailed as one of the best players in the game. He said it had been a tough decision but that "I would like to retire while still playing decent cricket".</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It's disappointing for the country and world cricket that AB de Villiers isn't playing cricket anymore," said Gibson.</p>
<p class="title">Coach Ottis Gibson admitted on Monday that the retirement from international cricket of AB de Villiers was a blow to South Africa's hopes of winning the Cricket World Cup next year.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Gibson revealed that he had spoken to De Villiers the day before last week's announcement by the star batsman but had been unable to convince him to change his mind.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We had a conversation," said Gibson, who was briefing journalists ahead of the South African squad getting together to undergo their annual fitness and medical assessments.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"He called me the morning before he made the announcement," said Gibson. "We had a long conversation around whether he was making the right decision. He reckons he is. He has spoken to the people in his close circle."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Gibson said De Villiers' decision had been a shock to him. "He is one of the best players in the world. He could have made a huge difference in the World Cup and he knows that... he's chosen to walk away from the game at this time and it is what it is."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Gibson said the World Cup in England and Wales in June 2019 was still a year away. "We'll have to alter our plans obviously but it gives us enough time to do that."</p>.<p class="bodytext">De Villiers, 34, announced his retirement last Wednesday, saying he was "tired" after a 14-year international career during which he was hailed as one of the best players in the game. He said it had been a tough decision but that "I would like to retire while still playing decent cricket".</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It's disappointing for the country and world cricket that AB de Villiers isn't playing cricket anymore," said Gibson.</p>