De Villiers expects verbal abuse from Australia

BASSETERRE: South Africa batsman AB de Villiers is expecting a verbal onslaught from Australia in Saturday's Group A match.   

"When you're playing Australia you know you're going to get a bit of abuse but I'm fine with that," De Villiers told a news conference on Thursday.   

"A cricket game without abuse is not a cricket game. I actually enjoy that, I see it as a challenge."   

De Villiers said South Africa's comfortable wins over Netherlands and Scotland had helped to prepare the world's top-ranked team for the challenge of taking on the holders.   

"We've been playing good one-day cricket, we've built it up," he said. "We started off slow against Holland and Scotland but I think it's going to be a good game, the boys are ready to go."   

De Villiers said there was not much to choose between the two sides.   

"I don't think there's a lot of difference, I think it's just the ability to put it together on the day," he said.   

"It needs some big match temperament; it's going to be a smashing game."   

The last time the teams met in a one-dayer, in Johannesburg in March 2006, Australia scored a world record 434 for four.  South Africa replied with 438 for nine to win an epic match with a ball to spare.