AB de Villiers sees Australia and New Zealand as threats at the World Cup

AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers has said that home teams Australia and New Zealand would be the most dangerous teams at the 2015 World Cup and that their limited overs tour to the two countries would be of great help ahead of the mega event next year.

The South African ODI captain also said that they are looking to obtain as much experience of the conditions and the pitches over the next month as possible before the huge event commences in the same conditions next year.

Australia and New Zealand are strong

He also added that the Kiwis can win against any side in the world on their day. The Black Caps have a habit of beating the Proteas at major tournaments.

The 30-year-old, in an interview with Cricket365, said: "The most important thing is to get a bit of confidence over there against two teams I see as a threat in the World Cup.

"Mentally and physically, it will be a really good way for us to get on top of them before the World Cup starts.

"We can definitely win the series. We have got a bit of an edge over them. We played better cricket in Zimbabwe and that's why we beat them. We know there's no need to stand back for them.

"I don't think New Zealand are a bits-and-pieces team anymore. They are too competitive and too good a team to be labelled as that. We know the kind of threats they bring to the party."

De Villiers feels that the Australians would be eyeing to extract revenge for their loss to the Proteas in the finals of the recent tri-series in Zimbabwe.

"They [Australia] are very hungry, especially against us after we beat them in Zimbabwe. They will want to give us a bit of a pay back.

"That will be a great challenge and so will the home crowds. We are a bit inexperienced when it comes to big crowds. They get quite involved so it will be good to be tested against that," he added.

Fielding needs to improve

The right-hand batsman mentioned that there needs to be an improvement with respect to fielding, despite the South African team’s excellence in the field. The middle-order batsman has said that they need to improve more to lift the title.

He told: "We had a few meetings in Zimbabwe about fielding and we talked about it at length. It's not about the basics - it's about turning games around and doing special stuff that I see other teams do.

"I don't believe we are in the top two fielding teams in the world and you need that at a World Cup."

South Africa tour New Zealand in October to play three ODIs, followed by a short trip to Australia in November to play five ODIs and three T20s.