De Villiers: We have to show England our respect
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 04: AB de Villiers of South Africa shares a laugh with teammates after winning game five of the One Day International series between New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Park on March 4, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
AB de Villiers says England have won the respect of the cricketing world after coming back from “rock bottom” at the last World Cup to become one of the favourites for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
South Africa’s one-day captain is preparing his side for a three-match ODI series against Eoin Morgan’s team, starting at Headingley on Wednesday. You can check the latest cricket ODI betting odds for up to date prices on the series.
And De Villers says the way England have bounced back from their humiliating first-round exit at the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand has impressed everyone around the globe.
“I remember watching the 2015 World Cup thinking they were really low and hit rock bottom,” said De Villiers. “They have done really well to come back from that. They are obviously a very talented group of players.
“The way they came back from that earned a lot of respect around the world. They must be one of the favourites for the Champions Trophy playing in their own country, having played some good cricket of late.
“There are quite a few other teams that stand out. India won the last Champions Trophy, the Aussies are always a team to look out for. But England have played some good cricket and we will test our skills against them in the three ODIs.”
De Villiers took the decision earlier this year to sit out Test cricket for the foreseeable future, including the four-match series against England starting in July. Whatever happens in the Champions Trophy, De Villiers says he will not go back on his decision as he looks to balance his workload and remain fresh across all formats.
The 33-year-old said: “It was the decision for this year. We will see where we go. I can only focus on what is going on now and the decision was to play a little less. I am feeling fresh and feeling 100 per cent, very fit and looking forward to playing a tournament and that was the idea.
“I am not going to change my decision. I will look like an indecisive human being if I do that. It is important for me to make sure I am feeling physically and mentally healthy going into every game I play and that is what I decided to do.
“There is an off-season coming in July and August. I will assess things then.
“We have a series at home against Bangladesh and then we will sit down and have a look at where I am at physically and mentally.”