De Villiers said that despite the nature of Australia’s sledging during February’s Test series, there would be no hard feelings as the two nations face off in one day series.
AB de Villiers says some of Australia’s sledging during February’s Test series against South Africa may have gone too far, but says his side will hold no grudges as the countries face off in the first ODI of the Triangular Series in Harare.
Speaking to media on Tuesday, de Villiers reportedly laughed when told Australian captain Michael Clarke had apologised for some of his heated on-field comments, especially during the third and deciding Cape Town Test.
“I didn’t know about that, but apology accepted,” De Villiers said.
“It was a hard fought series back in South Africa but there are definitely no hard feelings.
“You don’t expect anything less when you play against an Australian team, or for that matter, one of the top three or four teams in the world.
“It’s always a tough series and personally, for me as a batter, when I get sledged at the wicket I don’t mind that at all.
However, de Villiers did not deny the fact that the nature of some of Australia’s sledging was personal and said some of his teammates were more upset than others.
“There was lots of personal stuff and certain guys take it in a different way.
“I don’t mind it, I laughed at a couple of the chirps I heard on the field in that particular test match in Cape Town.
“It’s part of the game, I see it in that way…but they can’t expect us to be mates with them off the field if they get very personal.”
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