AB de Villiers on Australia series : "This series will be one to remember"

[Majestic]

This is what AB said before the start of the test series between Australia and South Africa.

While he has done well in the series, it has now become a series to be remembered for years because of the ball-tampering saga.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This series will be one to remember</p>— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) <a href="https://twitter.com/ABdeVilliers17/status/970527354090065920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ManFan]

Sledging, ball-tampering controversy, almost a backstage brawl, yup.

Everything a heavyweight Test cricket contest needed to have.

 

[James]

In a way it is not great for cricket that this has all happened, but I would add an alternative view in that it has got Test Cricket firmly back in the headlines again, around the world too, and everyone is talking about it. Whether silver lining is the appropriate term for such a scenario or not, it may end up injecting some much-needed interest back into the game.

 

[shokz1408]

Sledging, ball-tampering controversy, almost a backstage brawl, yup.

Everything a heavyweight Test cricket contest needed to have.

Lol it's had it all, a series to remember. However, mostly not to do with the match itself. But I don't agree that a heavyweight test cricket contest needs a ball tampering controversy. Does a test match need so much to go bad for it to be good? If that's the only way it's truly exciting, then it really is a dying format.

 

[ManFan]

Lol it's had it all, a series to remember. However, mostly not to do with the match itself. But I don't agree that a heavyweight test cricket contest needs a ball tampering controversy. Does a test match need so much to go bad for it to be good? If that's the only way it's truly exciting, then it really is a dying format.

Ball-tampering is never a pretty issue for the cricketing world. But think about it for a minute...

Good Guy: SA
Bad Guy: AUS

Bad Guy comes into Good Guy's town and says I can beat you: AUS tour of SA
Bad Guy uses some underhanded tactics: sledging
Bad Guy holds the advantage: 1-0

Good Guy tries to fight back: De Qock and Warner argument
Good Guy comes back into the contest: 1-1

Bad Guys' underhanded tactics come back to haunt him: AUS caught ball-tampering
Good Guy's use the tactics against the Bad Guys: AUS distracted by the ball-tampering lose 10 wickets for 50 runs in under 20 overs.
Good Guy holds the advantage: 2-1

That's a terrific story for any sport, let alone one that struggles with attention like Test Cricket.

 

[shokz1408]

Ball-tampering is never a pretty issue for the cricketing world. But think about it for a minute...

Good Guy: SA
Bad Guy: AUS

Bad Guy comes into Good Guy's town and says I can beat you: AUS tour of SA
Bad Guy uses some underhanded tactics: sledging
Bad Guy holds the advantage: 1-0

Good Guy tries to fight back: De Qock and Warner argument
Good Guy comes back into the contest: 1-1

Bad Guys' underhanded tactics come back to haunt him: AUS caught ball-tampering
Good Guy's use the tactics against the Bad Guys: AUS distracted by the ball-tampering lose 10 wickets for 50 runs in under 20 overs.
Good Guy holds the advantage: 2-1

That's a terrific story for any sport, let alone one that struggles with attention like Test Cricket.

Haha I can't argue with it being a good story. I think the story would be complete if Aussie level the series in the final test, with the player that replaces Steve Smith scoring a century.

 

[ManFan]

Haha I can't argue with it being a good story. I think the story would be complete if Aussie level the series in the final test, with the player that replaces Steve Smith scoring a century.

Oh yes. Don't want a batter like him out of the game for whatever fine he gets before leaving on a high note.

 

[volcyz]

Most controversial series in years

 

[Ab Fan]

Rightfully but for wrong reasons now. He said it because he thought it would be a thrilling contest like these two opponents always have and if SA win this, it will be a historical win.

 

[Lefthanded]

Sad for AB, as it might be his last series. And he's been the best batsman on either side.

Few will remember or talk about his batting, Elgar's series turning amazing century, Morkel's fairy tale performance, Rabada being Rabada as usual, etc.

SA deserve better opposition. Unfortunately they came before the Aussies and lost because of Virashtri's shocking attitudes about training and nepotistic selection.

I won't be bothering to wake up at 4 am to watch another ball live.

 

[Ab Fan]

Sad for AB, as it might be his last series. And he's been the best batsman on either side.

Few will remember or talk about his batting, Elgar's series turning amazing century, Morkel's fairy tale performance, Rabada being Rabada as usual, etc.

SA deserve better opposition. Unfortunately they came before the Aussies and lost because of Virashtri's shocking attitudes about training and nepotistic selection.

I won't be bothering to wake up at 4 am to watch another ball live.

AB confirmed it somewhere that he will continue playing tests for an year more, i.e. till WC 2019 atleast.

 

[Hasan123]

Unfortunately not for cricketing reason. AB has played some good knocks. Rabada has bowled. Mitchell Marsh batted well in the first match. None of this will be remembered. All that will be remembered is the ball tampering and other incidents between the players. Such a shame.

 

[Lefthanded]

AB confirmed it somewhere that he will continue playing tests for an year more, i.e. till WC 2019 atleast.

This is terrific news [not so much for Pakistan who I imagine he'll flay] and thank you for letting me know.