by HAYDN GILLin AntiguaSOUTH AFRICA can be a source of inspiration to West Indies’ beleaguered cricketers.A.B. de Villiers, one of two century-makers for South Africa in the first Digicel One-Day International (ODI) against West Indies on Saturday, has admitted that the Proteas were “stressed out” after failing to advance to the semi-finals of the recent ICC World Twenty20 Championship.In short order, however, they have put the episode behind them and reeled off three successive victories over the West Indies.a“We were very stressed out. What happened in the World Cup was very disappointing. It will never go away,”de Villiers said.“It is a matter of bouncing back.We bounced back. We’ve played decent cricket at times. We’re still not there exactly where we want to be. “We’d like to be very consistent, playing attacking and positive cricket.”The World Twenty20 in the Caribbean was yet another global tournament in which South Africa failed to live up to expectations.The West Indies,who also crashed out of the tournament after the Super Eights stage, can try to duplicate South Africa’s practices to get back on track. “We’re taking it step by step. We’ve had a lot of meetings, a lot of briefings and positive chats to each other,” de Villiers said.“We are all very hungry to play some good cricket and to give the public back home what they are looking for – trophies and a lot of wins.Basics“We’re building towards that. We’ve got the talent and the right management. It’s just a matter of doing the basics well and playing some good cricket.”de Villiers played a key role in helping South Africa to a big victory by 66 runs over West Indies on Saturday with an impressive run-a-ball 102 that was histhird successive centuryin ODIs.Hashim Amla also weighed in with 102 that guided South Africa to 280 for seven in 48 overs to which the hosts responded with 215 in 44.1 overs at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.It was the third time in four days that West Indies failed to chase a target, but de Villiers feels the Caribbean players are capable of turning things around.“They will always be a very competitive side. Not too long ago, we were on the losing slump. “It’s a matter of picking yourself up and just believing that you can play good cricket,” he said.
