De Villiers lauds Kallis and Duminy – Cricket News Update
South African skipper AB de Villiers on Saturday lavished praise on Jacques Kallis and JP Duminy after the duo guided the side to a comprehensive seven wicket win over England in the opening T20 International of the three-match series, at Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street.
Chasing a modest total of 118 for 7, set by Craig Kieswetter (25) led England batsmen, South Africa were struggling at 29 for 3 at the end of fourth over. Veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis, returning to the national fold after being rested for the ODI series against England, played an unbeaten innings of 48 runs, sharing an unbroken stand of 90 runs with JP Duminy (47 not out) to take the side home quite comfortably, with six balls and seven wickets to spare.
"Jacques, coming back from a bit of a break, made it look really easy, with JP obviously really playing well at the other end," said de Villiers at the post-match presentation ceremony on Saturday night.
"It's great to have Jacques back - he obviously offers something with the ball and I think he bowled really well today again," he added further.
Earlier the South African bowlers bowled impressively on the slow-paced Riverside wicket to restrict the formidable English line-up to a meagre total of 118 for 7. Spinners Johan Botha and Robin Peterson shared four wickets between them. Pace bowling spearhead Dale Steyn, who was later adjudged as the Man of the Match, returned as the most economic bowler of the day, with figures of 1 for 13 in four overs, bowled in four spells.
Explaining his approach to bowl one-over spells, Steyn said, "Just straight lines today was the key thing. It was quite difficult for batters to hit over the top."
“I felt it was one of those wickets I summed up quite quickly with the ball. Straight away from my first over I got a feeling as to where I should bowl,” he added further.
The tourists rested Hashim Amla in T20 series opener and de Villiers said that they are trying to give match practice to as many members of the squad as possible, before heading to Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup, later this month.
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