Bengaluru, Oct 7: South African batsman AB de Villiers has played a pivotal role in making South Africa a force to reckon with in ODIs last season. Not only is AB a player who has quickly earned himself the reputation of being a batsman who hits the ball really hard and scores at unprecedented scoring rates, but of late he has also proved himself to be an extremely effective and reliable middle order batsman.

De Villiers, the top ranked ODI batsman in the world, had tough competition in India's Sachin Tendulkar and the Australian duo of Shane Watson and Ryan Harris. But he managed to win the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year award at the ceremony held in Bengaluru on Wednesday. De Villiers played 16 ODIs and scored 855 runs at an average of 71.25 during the voting period.

After winning the award, AB de Villiers spoke to BCCI.TV about his improved technique paying rich dividends and on his ankle surgery being an unnerving experience.

Excerpts

On the last season

Yeah, I had quite a good season. It is all about consistency in this game and I proved to be consistent especially in the one-dayers. I have really enjoyed my cricket this season. I had worked on a few things and it paid off well and hopefully I can carry this in the next season, as well.

On winning the ICC Cricketer of the Year award

Definitely, it is a great honour. It is nice to be here tonight. To come here and win against world known players who you play against the whole year and through the season – I think it is a great honour. The players who were nominated with me were all big names.

On his technique in the last few months

The key to batting well in all forms of the game is to have a good technique. The last few months I have worked hard on my technique and it is great to see the results.

As a rule, I do my cricket training in the mornings with a break in the afternoons followed by a gym session in the evenings. After that some of the guys either go out for dinner or go and watch a movie - just chilling a bit. But there is a lot of hard work being put in during the day.

On the upcoming ICC World Cup 2011

We have quite a lot of cricket [to play] before it but we know about the World Cup season. It is the one we would love to win. We haven’t won that. We have done well on the sub-continent before. We rate our chances pretty highly and hopefully we can come here and be a consistent cricket team. I am keen to contribute and carry my form in World Cup season.

On the idea of dividing one-day matches into two 25-over innings match

Well, that is obviously up to the ICC [International Cricket Council] to decide. There is a massive World Cup coming in the season and the players are definitely looking forward to that. There is no bigger honour than winning a World Cup for your country. Talking from personal experience, I still love ODI games. I love all the three forms of the game and it is pretty tough to pick one out. If the ICC feels that they have to make a few changes next season, then so be it. For now it is a 50-over World Cup coming and we would like to win it.

On choosing Cricket over Rugby and Tennis

I enjoy all kinds of sports. I am sure that all cricketers did the same when they were growing up. I had to make a decision when I was about 16. Cricket was the one - the results came quicker for me. And that is the game I was obviously meant to play. I am enjoying every moment of playing cricket. And I am looking forward to the new season.

On his association with Indian coach Gary Kirsten

I worked closely with Gary before his call up to coach India and he helped me in developing my technique.

On any personal milestone he wants to achieve

To be very honest, the only milestone I have set out for myself is to keep performing as best I can for as long as I can. The rest will look after itself.

On cricketers that inspire him

I think I would love to be an all-rounder. I think a guy like Dale Steyn with the ball and maybe a Jacques Kallis with the bat. They are two fantastic cricketers from my team and they inspire me a lot.

On his ankle injury

Yeah, the ankle is still a bit sore. The doctor and the team have done a wonderful job. The physio and the fitness consultant have been doing a great job in keeping me nice and strong. I think I should be ready at the start of the new season. This is my first big injury so I was a bit nervous going in for an operation. I trusted the staff and put all my faith in them and they have done a great job.