Domingo, De Villiers talk about talk

Times Media - February 7, 2014

TELFORD VICE, Johannesburg

A superb century by Faf du Plessis, fiery bowling from Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander’s apparently effortless wicket-taking, and AB de Villiers’ return to action behind and in front of the stumps gave Russell Domingo plenty to talk about after SA drew their practice match against a Composite XI at the Wanderers yesterday.

But much of the talk was about just that - talk. “We’re fully aware that a lot’s been said and we’re fully aware that we haven’t said much, and we’re happy with that,” Domingo said. “You can’t play all your shots before the test match; you’ve got to wait until the game starts.”

The Australians have spent the first few days of their SA tour watching rain fall in Potchefstroom, high-tailing it to Johannesburg when the weather stayed nasty, training, and talking.

Michael Clarke has pronounced his team’s attack the best in the world, David Warner has wondered out loud whether Philander faked an injury to escape bowling on a flat Adelaide pitch last season, and everyone from Graeme Smith to Du Plessis to Robin Peterson have been identified as targets in the Aussies’ crosshairs.

De Villiers was more blunt in his counter-attack than Domingo: “All the noise is coming from their side - we simply need to focus. There’s no need to get involved with that.

“All I know is that, come February 12, it’s the start of three big test matches. It’s about having a better gameplan and playing better cricket. It’s not about who talks the most and says the right words.”

But, asked whether he had used some of his time away from the game after his hand surgery on January 10 to watch footage of Australia demolishing England 5-0 in the Ashes, De Villiers caught himself adding to the hot air.

“I haven’t watched much cricket, actually,” he began, then realised how those words could be misused. “I’m doing what Michael Clarke does - ‘Did SA beat India? Really?’.”

There was nothing ambiguous about De Villiers’ assessment of the state of his left hand: “I’m ready to go. My rehab went exactly as planned. I’m very close to 100%. It feels as strong as my right hand.”

De Villiers did not take the field on the first two days at the Wanderers, but yesterday he faced 69 balls for his unbeaten 40 and kept wicket for the last 12 overs of the Composite XI’s second innings.

Du Plessis, who was 67 not out overnight, retired after reaching 102, an innings of just more than four overs that provided confirmation of his readiness to replace Jacques Kallis at No. 4.

Morkel let rip with gusto, taking two wickets before he had conceded a run and finishing with 3/6. Philander was Philander - unemphatic and unplayable in equal parts - for his 3/8.

Domingo said SA had got what they wanted “and more” from the match. Proof of that, and whether all the talk has had an effect, will be had when the teams square off at Centurion in the first test on Wednesday.

“If you’re playing Australia, you’ve got to show a lot of character,” Domingo said. “If they get on top of you they can be difficult to stop. They can be quite abrasive and cocky.”

South Africans know that only too well, which could make this weekend’s trip by the SA squad to the bush - to Hoedspruit to help Mark Boucher raise awareness for rhino conservation - all the more valuable.

“This will push the reset button,” De Villiers said. “It’s really good for my soul; it slows things down a bit before what will be a hectic few months for us.”

And, not least, the silence will be golden.