South African captain AB de Villiers has revealed that the sledging that the Australians handed to South Africa during the 2014 Test series between the two sides was the worst he has experienced over the course of his career.
The Australian team, who have been infamous for their sledging over the years, came into the series against South Africa having defeated England 5-0 in the Ashes just over a month earlier.
Led by captain Michael Clarke and coach Darren Lehmann – nicknamed ‘Boof’ – Australia played an aggressive brand of cricket during those few months.
During the Ashes, there were a few incidents between Australia and England that threatened to boil over, including Clarke’s sledge of England fast bowler James Anderson during the first Test , which went something like: “Get ready for a broken f****** arm”.
Australia seemed to have carried the same attitude in the series that followed, which was against the then No. 1 Test team in the world, South Africa.
Speaking to Fox Sports, De Villiers said: “That was definitely the most abuse we’ve got on the cricket field. When we play England, it’s pretty verbal.
“I also remember touring Australia in 2006 as a youngster, with the likes of Warne and McGrath and Gilly behind the stumps. Still, that was nowhere near what we received in 2014.”
The 32-year-old added that some of the abuse that the Australians handed out was personal.
“Australia certainly made a conscious effort to be verbally over the top. Maybe they felt they could get under us if they really came out and got personal with some of us. I felt it was unnecessary,” said De Villiers.
Australia would win the series 2-1 in what would be the then Proteas captain Graeme Smith’s final series as an international cricketer.
According to De Villiers, a few Australian cricketers apologised to the South Africans at the end of the series.
“Some of the Australian players came up and apologised and felt that it was a little bit over the top. Certainly at times they did go over the top and I think they regret that in some way,” he said
Australia and South Africa face off in a three-match Test series Down Under starting from November 3, 2016. De Villiers was not named in the touring squad due to recent surgery, but is hopeful of making a recovery in time for the third Test which will be a day/night encounter at Adelaide.