NEW DELHI: According to AB de Villiers, South Africa have done well to make it to the WTC final despite going through “so many changes” over the past three to five years, and the criticism directed at them has been unjustified.
For the first time, South Africa has advanced to the WTC final, where they will play Australia at Lord’s in June.
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The Proteas did not face the other top Test teams, such as Australia and England, but they did draw a two-match series against India at home. Since the senior players needed to be made available for the SA20 back home, their board came under heavy fire for sending a side consisting of rookies to New Zealand.
“The Proteas in the last few years have taken a little bit of unfair criticism, in my opinion. You’ve got to keep in mind all the changes that has happened in the last three to five years,” de Villiers told media in Johannesburg on the sidelines of SA20 third season.
“A lot of experienced players retiring, a lot of coaching staff moving on. There’s been a lot of changes, a lot of young faces, fresh faces coming in. Two new coaches, Shukri Conrad doing the Test team, Rob Walter with the white ball cricket.
“There’s a lot of new things, and still they qualified for the T20 World Cup final, (and) that in the WTC final. It is actually incredible and I feel they deserve a lot more credit for achieving this,” he said.
According to De Villiers, the current Proteas team will require more time and travel experience in order to achieve the level of consistency that Graeme Smith‘s squad previously experienced.
“It’s going to take a little bit of time in saying that to find that consistency that we’ve had maybe between 2008 to 2015, where we were consistently around one of the top teams in the world, and they will get there, it takes time,” he said.
“All teams have to go through those phases to find the experienced players again, to find the right mix of players. I was there in 2005, 2006 and 2007 where we were all over the place… very difficult, very inconsistent.
“It was very difficult to find our groove, and then in 2008 we started clicking. But we had to go through those hard times first,” he said.
Although Australia is unquestionably the favorite to go to the WTC final, De Villiers stated that he would not write off South Africa.
“Proteas have done exceptionally well, it shows you they’re playing a positive brand of cricket, they’re going for results, I love that about them,” he said.
“With Temba Bavuma as captain taking a lot of criticism over the years, look at where he’s now, taking the team to the WTC final over and above incredible cricketing nations like India, New Zealand (and) England.”
De Villiers declared that he would support Proteas because of their attitude both on and off the field.
“They’re up against Australia, at Lord’s, (on) a moving wicket, against one of the best bowling attacks in the world, and a batting line-up that bats deep. But I will never write my team off.
“They’re a bunch of fighters, and Temba Bavuma mentioned this in the press conference. He said, ‘I will take this team to war, because I know they’re going to fight for each other’.”
According to De Villiers, South Africa ought to support the young players.
“The most important thing is to stick with the team they’ve got now. With the 13, 14 (or) 15 players and build around that. That’s what I had when I grew up. Graeme Smith backed me,” he said.
“I wasn’t always consistent in the first few years, and he stuck with me and then finally, the team reaped the rewards from me becoming more consistent.
“There are quite a few other examples like that. Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn. The list goes on. (They) could easily have dropped those players because they were inconsistent early on,” he added.
Everyone is “childishly excited” about SA20’s third edition, which has gotten off to a great start, according to De Villiers.
“This tournament is all about the youngsters in my opinion. I love the fact that there’s a platform for them to get exposure, to get great experience, (and) to play alongside some of the best players in the world.” he said.
“I’m in the fortunate position to be a commentator here. I get to spend a lot of time on the field before the start of the play. I speak to almost all the players, the coaches and everyone is childishly excited about this tournament,” he added.
