Cricket still taking a backseat in Proteas-Aussies battle of wits

Actual cricket continues to take a back seat in the build-up to the third Test between the Proteas and Australia at Newlands starting on Thursday.

With the Kagiso Rabada saga expected to come to a conclusion by latest Wednesday, the focus has now shifted to Vernon Philander’s “hacked” tweet last week, where he blamed Aussie skipper Steve Smith for instigating the incident.

The stocky seamer deleted the post and stated he wasn’t the author.

However, visiting opener Cameron Bancroft said it will serve as motivation for his side.

“If our banter is anything like it has gone this series I’m sure it will be brought up at some stage to get under someone’s nerves,” he said, referring to Philander.

“That’s boys being boys playing cricket. Who can hurt someone’s feelings the most. It seems to be a bit that way. We saw the tweet. It was obviously quite popular there for a little while. I can’t really comment. I don’t know if he wrote it or if his account was hacked or not. I can’t really say for him. That’s his opinion, isn’t it, and he’s got to deal with the consequences of that now, not us.”

But Proteas vice-captain Dean Elgar isn’t too worried about the implications on the field.

“I think he’ll take it in his stride, like Vern does,” said the opener.

“He’s quite a relaxed human being, but on the field he’s as competitive as anyone else. He’s got a set of skills that helps us out as a team and knowing Vernon I’m sure he’ll take it in his stride. I’m sure he’s going to expect that they’re going to come out and say something to him on the field. I’m sure he’s pretty prepared for that.”

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