De Villiers expects verbal abuse from Australia

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, Mar 22 (Reuters) 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 today.

''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.

Reuters DH VP0040