AB hard to please as he strives for perfection

22 October 2014 - 02:16 By Telford Vice
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AB de Villiers has not allowed the cares of captaincy to affect his free-spirited approach to batting.
AB de Villiers has not allowed the cares of captaincy to affect his free-spirited approach to batting.
Image: REUTERS

AB De Villiers is a hard man to please.

For the captain of a team who beat their opponents properly in the first one-day international in Mount Maunganui yesterday, he seemed less than satisfied.

The Proteas chased down New Zealand's total of 230 with six wickets standing and 11 balls to spare, but the only number that mattered to De Villiers was nine - the number of wickets his bowlers took before Luke Ronchi and Trent Boult added 74 in 10.3 overs.

And that after South Africa had taken those nine wickets for 156 in 34.4 overs.

"We did exceptionally well to get them to nine down at the start of the powerplay," De Villiers said.

"I expected our bowling unit to finish them off, which we didn't do.

"Our bowlers showed skill to get them to nine down, but it's still nine down. We've got to finish games, especially big games.

"If you get teams nine down after 35 overs, you have to finish them off.

"I feel they will be disappointed."

Even so, De Villiers said his bowlers delivered an "incredible performance" and that "to dismiss them for 230 on a wicket that didn't do too much was great".

But, in his final assessment, he returned to his new favourite number: "It's nine out of 10 for the bowlers."

Dale Steyn was fast, furious and fastidious for his figures of 1-28 in 7.1 overs.

Vernon Philander conceded just seven runs in his first five overs - and took two wickets - but went for 13 in his sixth and 18 in his seventh.

Morné Morkel recovered well from a second over that went for 10 runs to claim 2/39 in eight.

Ryan McLaren will not be happy with bleeding 13 runs in each of his second and third overs and 16 in his eighth and last.

The spinners did their jobs. Imran Tahir was good value for his 2/37 from his full quota and JP Duminy almost equally so in taking 1/22 off five.

De Villiers had more nines to talk about. His 89 not out included nine fours, forming part of an unbroken stand of 139 he shared with Duminy, and was a signature display of the outrageousness he does best.

But then he also sounded less than happy with himself.

Perhaps an innings of 199 not out or a haul of nine wickets would grab De Villiers's attention.

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