http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Allan-Robert-Border-c43726 de Villiers anticipates a tough first overseas assignment – Cricket News Update
South Africa’s limited-overs captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754, hoping to perform well in his first overseas assignment after taking over from Test skipper, Graeme Smith ahead of a disappointing World Cup 2011.
“I’m very excited and I’m looking forward to what is lying ahead,” de Villiers said at his first official press conference. The 27-year old is South Africa’s first wicket-keeper batsman to be made captain, with the exception of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MV-Boucher-c2048, who captained
the team in an ODI against Pakistan in 2003.
De Villiers was unable to lead the team in his first project at home against Australia due to a finger injury sustained in the 2011 Champions LeagueT20, which his side incidentally lost by a 2-1 margin.
His tenure began last month against the touring Sri Lankans, which provided plenty of insight to his leadership capabilities, including a shuffle in the batting composition - resulting in a 3-2 victory.
While the team’s win was not particularly outstanding, (considering the Proteas unit lost the final two games, despite posting totals over 300), the enthusiastic attitude that the team channeled throughout the series was attributed to de Villiers' vibrant
captaincy. He is convinced that the tour of New Zealand will provide another chance for his side to maintain the same positive energy and spirit which they presented on their own back yard.
“We are going to try and get a bit of a team spirit going over there," he said in Johannesburg, ahead of the team's departure for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Auckland-c766. "It's tough to get a team spirit going when you are at home, things are a bit disjointed, but on tour there's nothing
else to do but be with your team-mates. We're going to have a good time over there."
The Kiwis, who were responsible for eliminating SA in the 2011 World Cup, are currently on a winning streak. In addition to having won a Test in Australia, they recently crushed http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 on their home turf. The 27-year-old anticipates a tough battle, saying
the Black Caps are very intelligent, "but hopefully, we'll be the smarter team in the series."
The right-hander will have the experience of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HM-Amla-c1557, who served as captain during SA’s series against Australia.
South Africa’s upcoming bouts are significant for a number of reasons, which mainly includes the chance to claim the no.1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Test spot, following England’s humiliating series loss against Pakistan. Also, the three T20s and three ODI matches will enable
the team to prepare for the World T20 tournament, scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka.
De Villiers is looking forward to taking the team forward, and also hopes that the upcoming tour will help him grow as captain. “I thought the boys responded well to my leadership but I am not there yet, I've got a lot to learn."
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