The 29-year-old set up South Africa's victory in the final Test with a knock of 121 in their first-innings total of 409, which was ultimately enough as Pakistan were dismissed for just 156 and 235.
De Villiers was in sparkling form with the bat and also impressed behind the stumps, leading the former England spinner to describe him as one of the best in the world and a massive asset to the Proteas.
Asked if De Villiers would make it into a world XI, Croft said: "It is close. (Kumar) Sangakkara might just nip in there as well but it is going to be a close challenge there.
"On any surface he tends to find a game plan to suit. Ok, he is not always going to be effective but he assesses the situation very smartly and if it requires to turn the momentum on the bowlers and play very aggressively then he does do.
"His footwork is terrific. He has got very, very good hand eye co-ordination and when the spinners come on he does not get tied down. This was a tricky pitch but anything short or anything with a smidge of width - he was on to it.
"One of the arts is to turn around the momentum and impose yourself as quickly as you possible can on the bowlers because if you can break the bowlers' willing, concentration and confidence as soon as possible then you are starting to win.
"Now a lot of batters without his experience would just say, 'I am going to stay back and absorb'. He is not like that. He tends to say, 'no it is 50-50 here and I am going to get o top of you as soon as possible."
Post Comment
