• South Africa in England 2012

De Villiers ready to sledge after Boucher advice

ESPN staff
July 13, 2012

AB de Villiers has revealed that he is ready to take on Mark Boucher's sledging duties when South Africa begin their Test series against England.

Boucher was forced to retire from international cricket after suffering an eye injury in a warm-up game against Somerset, leaving the Proteas without both a wicketkeeper and one of their most vocal on-field presences.

De Villiers, a batsman by trade, will take the gloves for the opening Test at The Oval next week - and is also ready to take on the sledging duties, after receiving some tips from the man he will replace.

"I have a few things to say to some of their guys - things Mark would have said," De Villiers revealed. "He's passed on a few things to say.

"He told me 'Whatever happened to me is okay as long as you pass on the messages!' I said I would."

De Villiers admits he owes a great debt of gratitude to Boucher, who helped him transition into a top-level international player.

"He was someone who was there at the start of my career, who looked after me, took me under his wing, helped me a lot with my cricket," de Villiers explained.

"I probably wouldn't be here without him. It's probably a big call but it's true - he's done a lot for my cricket.

"So not to have him here, it's a bit of an emotional thing - which I've sort of gotten over the last few days. But yes, they are huge boots to fill."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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