We are starting a new series on IndiaBet.org, where we bring the Top 5 Cricket News of the Week from all over the world. Let’s begin with the first – Cricket’s Mr. Popular AB de Villiers says he has had enough of being a “nice guy”!
- AB de Villiers is Fed Up of being called a “Nice Guy”
AB de Villiers is the most popular cricketer in the world, so popular that even the crowds in India chant his name, even in an India-South Africa match. He is universally acknowledged to be the nicest guy in cricket, but AB says he just hates the tag: “I am not a nice guy on the field. I want to win games, so I will do whatever it takes for us to win games.”
AB adds, “If I have to sledge, I will get involved like that. I will try and intimidate a player if I have to. I will try and get Virat off his game by talking about his technique and little flaws. I don’t mind doing things like that, whatever it takes to win games. I have never really respected a guy that’s been a nice guy on the field. I want the opposition to be hard and to play to win the game for their team.”
- Cricket Australia Desperately Want New Zealand to Do Well
It’s the start of a new cricket season in Australia and Cricket Australia is struggling to get the public interested in the game, given that they are playing two relatively weak teams this season – first against local rivals New Zealand and second against the weakened West Indies. The pathetic performance by the Kiwis in the first Test has led to a drop in interest with the public turning attention to other sports such as AFL. So Cricket Australia desperately want the Kiwis to perform better in the second Test, otherwise this season will be an absolute washout for Australian cricket.
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- Vernon Philander Ruled Out of the India-South Africa Test Series
Fast-medium bowler Vernon Philander suffered an ankle injury during training, and has been ruled out of the rest of the India-South Africa Test series. He twisted his left ankle while playing football.
Dr. Mohammed Moosajee, South Africa’s team manager said: “Vernon rolled his left ankle during practice at the stadium in Bengaluru this morning. He was taken to the hospital for an MRI scan which confirmed an ankle ligament tear which will rule him out of the current series against India”.
“He will return back to Cape Town this weekend to be assessed by one of Cricket South Africa’s specialists. At this moment it is still too early to tell but he will be out for a period of at least six to eight weeks.”
Fast bowler Kyle Abbott has been called in as a replacement.
- West Indies Finally Win Something
The West Indies finally won a cricket match in their tour of Sri Lanka by beating the hosts in the second T20 match by 23 runs, Dwayne Bravo was the star performer, having picked up 4 wickets and hitting a run-a-ball 31. The series has been tied 1-1, with one match to go.
- Mitchell Johnson Says He’s Contemplating Retirement
We are big fans of fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and we hate hearing this news. Johnson says that he thinks about retiring from cricket all the time and that his days as an international cricketer are numbered: “I think about it most days I think. It’s probably getting to that time, but to be honest I’m just trying to go out there and play each game and enjoy it. Like I’ve said before, it could be after this game I might just go, I’m done but I’m still enjoying my cricket at the moment and I’m enjoying the challenges.
“It’s a really good time for Australian cricket with these young guys in the team and I want to be a part of that. As long as I’m performing well and doing my job in the team then mentally I’m feeling pretty good. I’m not emotional or anything like that now, no, because I’m not retiring. It’s always special playing here so it does excite me.
“I started my career in Australia, played my first Test at the Gabba, I think I’d like to finish my career in Australia if I have the choice. It’s whether I get that choice or not. Not many people get it, so who knows. I feel like I’m still performing pretty well. I’d like to get a few more wickets but I feel like I haven’t dropped off too much. Pace is still up there enough and I feel confident enough in myself.”
