Australia’s World Cup squad attempted to make peace with South African fans on Friday, saying the team’s confidence was often mistaken as arrogance.
Many South Africans, awaiting Saturday’s start of cricket’s mega event, dislike the Australians for what they say is their arrogant behaviour on and off the field.
But fast bowlers Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee sought to downplay that image a day ahead of the opening ceremony at Cape Town. ”We probably come across as being arrogant but in fact most people confuse it with self-confidence,” McGrath told the Citizen newspaper.
”However, if people perceive me as being arrogant then I’m doing my job on the field.
”Arrogant people say and do things they can’t back up. We always back up what we say.”
Lee agreed with his team mate’s assertion, saying Australians were generally very confident people.
”We as a cricket team care about the opposition and are always the first ones to go and shake hands with them,” Lee said.
”Arrogant people would not do that.
”Sure we play our cricket hard but we also play it fair. You need to be confident if you want to be a better player.”
Australia are regarded as favourites to become the first team to successfully defend the World Cup title. But South Africa are thirsting for revenge after being knocked out in the semi-finals four years ago following a nerve wrecking tie against the Australians. – Sapa-AFP