AB De Villiers' massive advice for South Africa ahead of WTC 2023-2025 final against Australia, says 'respect the bowlers'

Former South African batting maestro AB de Villiers has offered crucial advice to the Proteas batters ahead of the upcoming ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 final against Australia. AB De Villiers urged Temba Bavuma-led side to maintain a high level of respect for all bowlers they face, emphasising the importance of this approach regardless of the specific over or phase of play at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground.

AB De Villiers has a piece of advice for South Africa for WTC final

South Africa are set to make their inaugural appearance in a World Test Championship (WTC) final as they prepare to clash with Australia in the highly anticipated one-off match scheduled from June 11 to 15. While South Africa has a history of playing 18 Test matches at Lord's, their record at this prestigious venue presents a mixed bag, with six victories, eight defeats, and four matches ending in a draw.

“Lord's is a tricky ground to play at. You've got the ball moving around more than most grounds in the world for a longer period of time. You're never in, and that's probably my best advice to the batters, to sort of respect the bowlers, whether it's the first over or the 67th over. You're never in, so just respect the game,” De Villiers said on Star Sports.

“Lord's, you generally want to be a bit fuller as a seam bowler and try and get the best out of the conditions. There's always a bit of seam movement for the seam bowlers. So I would probably urge my bowlers to bowl full and straight for as long as possible,” he added.

South Africa secured their place at the top of the 2023-25 World Test Championship standings through an impressive streak of seven consecutive victories. These wins came against formidable opponents including the West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, earning them a commendable points percentage of 69.44. Their consistent performance throughout the championship cycle has positioned them as strong contenders for the title. The historic Lord's Cricket Ground will mark a significant milestone as it becomes the third venue in England to host the prestigious World Test Championship final. Previously, the Rose Bowl in Southampton hosted the 2021 final, and The Oval in London was the venue for the 2023 edition. Recognising the potential for weather disruptions, the ICC has also scheduled a reserve day, June 16, which can be utilised to compensate for any playing time lost during the originally planned five days of the match, ensuring the best possible chance for a full and fair contest.