AB de Villiers admits surprise at quality of match-winning innings for Middlesex against Essex

The former South Africa international scored 88 not out from 43 balls to see his side home in their chase of 165 at Lord's

AB de Villiers was himself taken aback by the quality of his innings in Middlesex's seven-wicket T20 Blast win over Essex at Lord's.

The 35-year-old former South Africa international hit an unbeaten 88 off 43 balls to see the hosts home in their chase of 165.

De Villiers hit six sixes in his first competitive game in two months, but admitted he was surprised by the way he was connecting with the ball.

"I certainly exceeded my expectations," he said.

"I have been working for the last couple of weeks hitting them well in the nets which doesn't normally mean anything but the boys have welcomed me with open arms and that plays a big role in getting players from overseas to be comfortable and at home.

^{De Villiers hit an unbeaten 88 at Lord's}

"I just had a bit of fun tonight, I wasn't expecting it to go that well but things keep surprising me every day."

However, despite the fluid and destructive nature of his innings, de Villiers maintained there is still work to be done on his own personal performance, even though he revelled in the short-of-length bowling he received.

"I still did not feel I was 100% in control, I feel I can still play better.

"There's still a couple of punches straight that I missed and edged, and it was little bit scratchy from time to time but every time I took on the boundary I hit them well so maybe I should just stick to that!

"I think it was the kind of wicket where you needed to bowl into the wicket, which they did, unfortunately for them I think they bowled a foot or two too short.

"You don't want to bowl half volleys either so it is give or take. I don't think they executed as well as they wanted to, they had the right plans to use the slowness of the wicket but they were too short."

VISIT OUR T20 BLAST HUB

There were an estimated 28,000 at the ground to see de Villiers' marvellous innings, and the South African returned the favour by labelling it as the best atmosphere he has ever experienced at Lord's while stating he cannot wait for the London derby with Surrey on Tuesday.

"It is not the loudest ground in the world but it is certainly the ground with the best atmosphere that I have experienced and tonight was right up there with the best I have experienced here at Lord's.

"This is one of the best crowds I have ever played in front of. This was a very special knock for me and one I will remember for a long time.

"I am very excited about that one [the Surrey game]. It's a shame my good friend Morne [Morkel] is not playing. He has run off to Sydney!

"I love playing at The Oval, I always have, I have great memories from playing cricket there as well.

There is always a great atmosphere there with a bit of a sing-along [and it is] probably my second favourite ground to play at in England.

To celebrate England winning the World Cup you can subscribe to The Cricketer for just £20.19. Click here to learn more

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.