I felt sorry for Australians and Steve Smith, says AB de Villiers

I felt sorry for Australians and Steve Smith, says AB de Villiers

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AB de Villiers feels that the worldwide response to Australia’s ball-tampering saga was taken to a level where it really hurt them individually. He also termed the IPL as the most powerful tournament in the world and added that players can't walk away from the financial benefits that it provides.

The way South Africa-Australia series ended this year in March was impossible to ignore as Sandpaper-gate took the shine away from what was turning into yet another classic series between the two rivals. A series that began with verbal spats, "shoulder pushes", and disciplinary hearings, ended with Australia's two best batsmen being handed a year ban.  

“It was rough, but it was the best series I have been a part of. There were scandals that weren’t called for but cricket-wise, the way we dominated was, well, I haven’t been part of a team that has done that to them,” recalled AB, in his interview with The Guardian.

The Australian team had gone 1-0 up with a convincing win in Durban but riding on de Villiers' unbeaten 126 in the second match, the hosts had come back to level the four match series in the second Test in Port Elizabeth. When asked about the knock, the former South African skipper called his innings as one of his best so far. 

“Sometimes you don’t quite realize what you have achieved until you look back. We were about to collapse like we had in Durban and it was: ‘Here we go again.’ So to get through that and score a special hundred that helped the team to victory was unbelievable. It was one of my best ever. It’s not often you get into that kind of zone batting either. I just felt so calm at the wicket. It’s so strange, your head just goes quiet sometimes. Days like that don’t come around very often, so you have to enjoy it,” remarked the 34-year-old.

As the teams headed to the third Test with Kagiso Rabada winning his appeal for a two match ban, it was expected to be quite a match. What happened though rocked the cricketing world right to its core. Steve Smith’s open admission to ball-tampering and their leadership group’s plan behind it in the press conference during the third Test turned the series on its head and had an even more lasting effect on Australian cricket. After stripping Smith of his captaincy, Cricket Australia handed the former skipper and vice captain David Warner a one year ban and gave Cameron Bancroft a one year ban.

“It was blown up massively. Yes, it is a serious matter but it was taken to a level where it really hurt them individually and I felt sorry for them. Especially Smith, who stood up thinking he was doing the right thing by his players. The way he was punished was harsh.”

Known as one of the best batsmen of his generation, de Villiers in a funny note described, IPL as an Ashram like Test cricket and the seven-week-long tournament is too competitive. He also admitted that the financial aids he is getting from this tournament are quite rewarding as well. 

“It is the most powerful in the world. It is like an ashram compared with the Test cricket that came before. This is a tournament I cannot miss. I’m not going to sit here and lie to you; financially it is just too good for us as a family. Seven weeks away is not easy and they will come out at some stage. It’s not ideal but it has to be done,” said the RCB batsman. 

“English and Australian players are paid well, so it’s not always a must to come over. For the rest, it is something you have to fit in. If you’re working in South African rands, it’s nice to get a few dollars in the bank." 

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