South Africa and Australia will resume their fierce cricketing rivalry in the second match of the triangular series at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday. Castle Lager Proteas captain, AB de Villiers, addressed the media on Tuesday afternoon, and says he expects the same high level of intensity that comes with clashes between the two teams.
“It was a hard fought series back in South Africa; there are no hard feelings,” De Villiers said of the sledging. “We don’t expect anything less when we play Australia or any of the top teams in the world, it’s always a tough series. Personally for myself as a batter, I don’t mind the sledging, I enjoy the challenge. Facing some of the best bowlers in the world is a huge privilege and I’m expecting to see more of that in this series.
“In the same breath we are also here to win,” he added. “We will do whatever it takes to win the series.”
De Villiers says his squad members have returned in a “good space” following a three-day break, with
everyone raring to go in the Proteas’ series opener.
“We have been here for three weeks already so I felt that a break would be a good way for the players to recharge their bodies and minds,” De Villiers said. “Some guys went back home to South Africa while others went on a bush safari which included a bit of fishing and game viewing. It was all in all a good break, the guys have come back hungry for success.”
Australia are ranked No.1 on the ICC Reliance ODI rankings, with the Proteas four points adrift in third place.