AB de Villiers has defended his decision to put the Indian Premier League before Test cricket as South Africa began their tour knowing they must take on England in their four-match series without their best batsman.

De Villiers will lead South Africa in the one-day leg of a tour that begins with the first of three 50-over internationals against England at Headingley next Wednesday but when the red ball comes out the captain will go home.

It is a decision the 33-year-old insists he had to make because of family reasons and a serious elbow injury but it is one that should send shock-waves through those who believe international cricket should always come first.

South Africa are ranked No 1 in ODIs but will be without several key players in England

South Africa struggle to pay their players as well as the likes of England and Australia which makes it harder for them to question the likes of De Villiers in the later stages of his career putting the riches of the IPL ahead of his country.

The non-stop nature of international cricket means something has to give and De Villiers is not prepared to give up his career as one of the best paid players in the IPL, earning £1.5 million this year with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Instead he now picks and chooses when he plays for South Africa.

‘I made some important decisions for my life and career in the last year or so in order for me to have the best chance of winning trophies and being part of a successful team,’ said De Villiers ahead of Friday’s tour opener against Sussex.

De Villiers will lead South Africa in the one-day leg of a tour of England

‘Physically I realised I’m the best I can be when I’m fresh and looking forward to cricket instead of the other way round and being tired when I’m playing. Spending time with the family has done me the world of good and it is about finding the balance of working hard to win with time away from the game.’

De Villiers, who will also lead South Africa in the Champions Trophy that follows their 50-over series against England, insists he has not retired from Test cricket and is expected to return against India next winter.

‘This is for this year,’ he said. ‘We will see where we go. I can only focus on what is going on now and the decision was made to play a little less. I am feeling fresh and a hundred per cent fit and that was the aim ahead of this tournament.’

But one of the stars of the world game, who has had a lean time by his own very high standards in the last year or so, does not believe players from other countries will necessarily follow his example.

South Africa struggle to pay their players as well as the likes of England and Australia

‘It is an individual thing and not everybody is in my situation,’ he said. ‘Some players will have a similar decision to make but this is what will work for me. I can’t speak for the rest of the cricketing world.’

South Africa arrive on top of the world one-day rankings but even though they defeated Australia 5-0 in 50-over cricket last year there is a sense they are a team just past their peak and hit hard by injuries and defections.

Dale Steyn is out of the whole tour with a shoulder injury while South Africa have lost significant players like Kyle Abbott, Rilee Rossouw, Simon Harmer and Colin Ingram to county cricket as Kolpak non-overseas players.

It makes life considerably harder for them but De Villiers remains confident they can compete with England and then challenge for what would be his first global tournament triumph.

‘This is big,’ said De Villiers of he Champions Trophy. ‘I believe we have a very strong squad and I’ve got a very good feeling about this one.’