AB de Villiers vows to fight back after crushing defeat in 1st T20I against England

On the back of a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, South Africa were once again on the losing side in the first of 3 T20Is against England. The Proteas suffered a thumping 9-wicket loss at Southampton’s Rose Bowl on Wednesday.

Opting to bat first, South Africa had to open with two new faces JJ Smuts and Reeza Hendricks, as their regular openers Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla were rested. However, both were dismissed within a space of 8 deliveries, leaving the experienced AB de Villiers to steady the ship for the visitors.

Stand-in skipper AB de Villiers stitched a valuable century stand with Farhan Behardien, but their quizzical approach left many wondering if the pitch had any demons in it. The English spinners ensured that the batsmen were subdued. De Villiers and Behardien were made to sweat for their runs, and despite getting to their fifties, they took South Africa to a middling total of 143. In response, England’s top three batsmen, led by Johnny Bairstow, made short work of the target.

Expecting a really good performance: AB de Villiers

“It’s not done and dusted. We go to Taunton and like all South Africans, we always fight our way back, so I’m expecting a really good performance in the next one,” the Proteas skipper said.

With regular T20 skipper Faf du Plessis back home for the birth of his child, AB de Villiers was asked to lead the side in the T20Is. However, his knock of 65 off 58 balls went in vain, and so did Behardien’s 52-ball 64.

“The result doesn’t look good for us. We lost our way in the first six (overs), had to rebuild and that cost us a bit. From the 13th over I tried to have a go. We were looking for those 10 runs an over and didn’t get a lot of them, unfortunately,” AB de Villiers conceded.

England now have a chance to wrap up the series at Taunton when the two teams meet again on June 24.