SYDNEY: The threat of a one-match ban for slow over-rates is heaping extra pressure on A.B. de Villiers ahead of Friday’s World Cup clash against West Indies, the South Africa skipper admitted on Thursday.

De Villiers was fined 20 percent of his match fee after South Africa were found to be one over short of their target during their 130-run drubbing at the hands of India last Sunday.

One more minor infraction by his team in any of their remaining matches will see the Proteas forced to play without their leader and top batsman for one game.

“I think all the captains are under pressure in this tournament. They’re very strict with that in this particular tournament you get one warning and then you’re suspended,” de Villiers told reporters at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

“They’re a little bit more lenient with normal cricket series around the world, which is understandable. This tournament is under the spotlights, and it heats you up the right way.

“So I’m under pressure. Yes, we know that. We’ve had a good discussion about it. There is nothing else you can do about it except just get it right.”

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play