English crowds generally more knowledgeable compared to other parts of the world, claims AB de Villiers
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South African superstar AB de Villiers has stated that the crowds in England are usually more knowledgeable compared to other parts of the world. De Villiers, who has been plying his trade all over the world, is currently representing Middlesex in the ongoing 2019 edition of Vitality T20 Blast.
There are few cricketers in the world who are universally loved and get cheered on everywhere they play, but none more than AB de Villiers. Be it the Indian Premier League (IPL) or the Pakistan Super League (PSL) or the Vitality T20 Blast, the 35-year-old has been a star performer for each and every team he has played, and has thoroughly entertained cricket fans all around the world.Ā
Playing for Middlesex currently in the 2019 edition of the Vitality T20 Blast, de Villiers set the tournament alight on the very first day as he smacked a 50-ball 88* to guide his side to a thumping seven-wicket victory. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo post-match, de Villiers applauded the English fans for their knowledge and understanding of the game, and claimed that they are generally more knowledgeable compared to other fans around the world.
"I must be careful with my words now, but generally what I feel like, I won't compare it to the IPL, but the crowds around England are generally more knowledgeable about the game of cricket than most parts of the world, and I'm including South Africa," said de Villiers in an interview to ESPNcricinfo post the conclusion of the match.
"Most parts you have fans here who understand the game exceptionally well, so you feel like you're entertaining the people who sort of study the game in a way. You get a lot of noise around the world in other tournaments, this is more clapping, but they understand the game and you have the respect as a player, which is amazing," he added.
The South African star was also full of praise for the cricket on display in the Vitality T20 Blast, and claimed that the only reason it isn't as popular is due to the lack of television broadcast.Ā
"The quality of cricket was right up there, obviously it's not broadcasted around the world, which makes it a bit different to IPL and other tournaments, but I mean, it's fantastic," he said of the T20 Blast.Ā
