Cape Town - Former Proteas coach Ray Jennings says he does not believe that AB de Villiers made himself available for South Africa's Cricket World Cup campaign 24 hours prior to the team being announced.

"AB is the most sincere person - definitely not selfish as a player. I'd put my life on the line so say that it’s rubbish that he would wait until 24 hours before the team announcement to make himself available. It's nonsense," Jennings said in an interview with Netwerk24.



It was earlier reported that De Villiers, who was in India at the time, had approached national captain Faf du Plessis and coach Ottis Gibson before the 15-man World Cup squad was announced, stating his intentions to play in the event.



The news was relayed to Cricket South Africa's convenor of selectors Linda Zondi, but the decision was taken to deny De Villiers' request to be fair to other players.

But Jennings feels there was more happening behind the scenes than the public was led to believe.



"I'd expect something like this from an arrogant Kevin Pietersen or Graeme Smith, but definitely not AB. I just know him too well to believe he'll do something like this. There is another story behind the scenes that need to be told."

De Villiers is yet to comment publicly on the matter himself.