Vitality T20 Blast 2019: Middlesex beat Essex as AB de Villiers hits 88 on English domestic debut

AB de Villiers turned back the clock on Thursday as he took the T20 Blast 2019 tournament in England by storm with a whirlwind knock in the tournament opener at Lord's in London. The 35-year-old, who was not part of the South Africa squad for the ICC World Cup 2019, showed what his team were missing in England and Wales by smashing 43-ball 88 not out as Middlesex cruised to a seven-wicket win over Essex. Chasing 125 to win in the T20 Blast 2019 opener, Middlesex reached the target with three overs to spare, starting their campaign with a dominating victory.

Here is how Ab de Villiers fared on his Vitality T20 Blast debut:

@ABdeVilliers17 already feeling at home at Lord's.#LoveLords pic.twitter.com/WmuKuSvxON

— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) July 18, 2019 AB de Villiers didn't have it all his way as Essex tested him with spin. The South African found the going hard initially, managing to score just 17 runs off his first 15 balls. However, the stylish right-hander came into his own as his innings progressed, carting the Essex bowling to all part of London.

AB de Villiers smashed five fours and six maximums, enthralling the crowd with his power-hitting.