The 35-year-old retired from international cricket in May 2018 to travel on the T20 circuit.

While the BBL was on, de Villiers chose to go for the Bangladesh Premier League instead of coming to Australia but was reportedly interested in coming to Australia.

Five teams had contacted de Villiers management with the Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat reportedly the frontrunners to sign the legend.

The BBL, which was heavily criticised for its lack of star power last season, even had Cricket Australia, broadcasters Fox Sports and Seven, and the clubs willing top the package up to $350,000 for the later stages of the tournament despite some sides getting their noses out of joint over the lack of a fair system for attracting big name talent.

But those hoping to see the hired gun in action are set to be disappointed with the star reportedly pulling the plug on deal.

Cricket.com.au confirmed a report that despite interest from both parties, de Villiers had cooled on his plans to play next season.

ESPNcricinfo reported the reason behind the move was that de Villiers realised that the BBL would be relying on him to turn around the competition’s plateaued TV ratings and attendances after expanding to a full home-and-away season schedule last season.

ESPNcricinfo also suggest the move may be a power play to get a bigger contract down the line.

The blow comes as Cricket Australia announced the clubs would now be able to sign six overseas players throughout the season but only play two at a time.

“The maximum number of overseas players permitted in a club’s squad will remain at two, but there is now increased flexibility to contract up to six players throughout the season and rotate them in and out as required,” Cricket Australia’s executive general manager fan engagement Anthony Everard explained in a statement.

“It’s a fantastic result for the competition, with clubs given a better chance at securing international players on a short-term basis to fit into an increasingly competitive global cricketing calendar.”

Late last month, the Sydney Sixers’ general manager Jodie Hawkins said the Sixers were eager to welcome de Villiers to the club for the next season.

“We would be absolutely delighted to have AB join the Sixers and have made an offer for this summer,” Sixers general manager Jodie Hawkins told ESPNcricinfo late last month.

“We understand there are a number of BBL clubs wanting to welcome AB, but we believe we offer him a great option to experience the Big Bash, living in Sydney by the beach, playing at one of his favourite grounds, the SCG, and just enjoying what Sydney offers in summer, that’s a pretty good proposition.

“He’d also be great working with some of our young stars like Josh Philippe, and meeting our incredible fans.”

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De Villiers has played T20 competition in Pakistan, South Africa and the Caribbean as well as starring in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

In this season’s IPL, he hit 442 runs at 44.20 at a strike rate of 154.00 in 13 innings to sit 11th on the leading run scorers list.

De Villiers scored over 20,000 international runs during his 14-year international career and in 287 career T20s, he’s scored 7838 runs at 36.45 at a strike rate of 148.67.