'Dear Martin, thanks, will try to make it count'

Dear Martin,

This letter comes to you on behalf of AB de Villiers. He would have written himself but he's a little busy - something about a World Cup going on - so he only had time to give a press conference.

He was able to squeeze in a few minutes to read your letter though and he could sense you wrote it "from the heart." He knows that, "when a man talks from the heart, you should listen." Even though you told him your heart is dressed in black, he believes your advice "comes from a good place," and he wants to "take the good points from that," and "thank you for the input." He said he will try to "make the good points count," when his team play West Indies.

I'll start with what he said about his own leadership, which he admitted has to be bold, especially because he is on the cusp of a suspension for over-rate violations. AB and the team-management could change captains to try and avoid a sanction, but after Sri Lanka did that at the World T20, it is no longer allowed. AB was informed that: "Because I am the nominated captain for the tournament, I will still get the ban."

So the first thing he will be focusing on is sharpening up, just like you said. He knows there is "nothing else you can do except just get it right," but that "it's easier said than done." He is hoping to be able to use his spinners and part-timer bowlers to speed things up. So you will definitely get to see more of Imran Tahir, the man who has impressed you so much. You may even get your wish about better use of JP Duminy, who will bowl a bit more and may be inspired to be more attacking.

I'm not sure you will get your wish regarding Wayne Parnell, though. His place in the XI is not certain, even with Vernon Philander out injured, because South Africa "have got to make a few tough calls" about the composition of their attack. They're toying with bringing Kyle Abbott in, who will also offer some swing but also wants to step up at the death. AB wasn't willing to confirm which way the selection will go but like you, he acknowledged Parnell's ability with the bat, saying "if Abbott comes in he's a bit less of a batter than Parny, and we might have to go for the seven batters then."

That would bring one of Farhaan Behardien or Rilee Rossouw into the XI and it seems AB may need your help deciding which one. "They're two really good all-around cricket players, both really good fielders, bot good finishers, good middle order batters, they're versatile players." It will come down to which one "can handle the pressure down in the middle order best," but as you suggested, it seems South Africa first need to absorb pressure upfront.

At the risk of running overtime, the journalists present were unable to ask AB about concerns over his childhood friend Faf du Plessis, but yesterday Faf himself tried to play down concerns. He said he is trying to drop the burden by "reflecting on are some of the stats on our batting unit," and the memories of how they have "batted brilliantly over the last 18 months." The day before that, Hashim Amla said similar things about the form of the opening pair.

The most difficult thing for AB right now seems to be following your most important piece of advice. To be all things in all situations and lead like never before. It was tough to do that at the MCG in what was "a loud game," which AB thinks "played a role" in South Africa being overawed. He thinks his team "learned our lessons that you need to win games in those big situations and when the crowd is against you to win a World Cup," but still hopes for things to be a "little bit quieter" at the SCG so they can enjoy the "traditions and cricket history" of the place.

He knows "it's a great honour" to be involved in this tournament and that is maybe why he is under the kind stress you've asked him to get rid of. He is worried about another slip-up because he "would not like to be that team that stumbles before we get to the knockouts", and is weighed "so many things to think about - the most important thing is to make sure we have a spot in the knockouts. first. No matter how we get there."

But you will be happy to know that when he said that, he cracked a smile. He's also had a shave. I didn't manage to hear if he whistled, but maybe when he walks out onto the SCG on Friday, he will. I'll write to you if he does.

Sincerely,

Firdose Moonda