Prince annoyed by AB’s post-loss comments
Former South Africa opener, and now selector, Ashwell Prince was left unimpressed with skipper AB de Villiers' comments after the team's loss to England on day three of the third Test.
De Villiers, who had captained the Test side for the first time and watched an astonishing collapse to defeat, said that things felt a bit hopeless, and added that they missed the likes of Jacques Kallis.
Prince told the Cape Times: "I feel that it is very disappointing. The messages coming out in the media about AB not enjoying the game, about whether he is going to play, and how long is he going to play.
"And obviously that comment that 'all hope is gone'. If I was a young player in the team, I would be concerned about what the captain is saying. Does that mean he has no faith in me as a young player?"
Prince then said that it was De Villiers who needed to step up and lead the side in word and deed, given the fact that a slew of senior players were no longer part of the team, and De Villiers had to get used to that.
Prince added: "People say we don't have Graeme Smith anymore, Alviro Petersen, Jacques Kallis, so AB is not batting behind all those types of guys anymore. That means there is even more responsibility on his shoulders as a batsman.
"We don't have the names that people are throwing about, so especially in terms of where the team is at the moment – our backs against the wall – his performances are going to become even more important than they were in the past.
"The country needs him now more than ever."
The fourth and final Test against England starts on Friday at Centurion. If South Africa lose, they will drop to fourth in the ICC Test rankings, but if they win they will be second. India will stay top no matter what.
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