AB de Villiers has revealed in his book ‘AB: The Autobiography’ , launched on Thursday, that racial dynamics played a role in the selection of Vernon Philander ahead of Kyle Abbott in the 2015 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. He reportedly wrote that it depressed him to think of his team-mates in out-dated racial terms. He also regarded the semi-final defeat to New Zealand as the greatest disappointment of his cricket career.