A B de Villiers expresses pity for hapless Oz debutant McGain

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Cape Town (South Africa), Mar.23 (ANI): Having scored a rapacious 163 for South Africa in the third and final Test against Australia here, middle order bat A B de Villiers while happy over his side's innings and 20 run victory, exhibited pity for the opposing side's bowlers, especially for debutant leg spinner Bryce McGain.

According to a report in The Australian, de Villiers literally destroyed the leg-spinner's debut, but later said he took no joy in it.

"Without trying to be funny, it was truly heartbreaking," the paper quoted de Villiers, as saying.

"I've got a pretty soft heart and life is hard. It's really bad to see a guy (suffer). I wouldn't want him to get five wickets, obviously not. Out there, it's a battle and I'm going to give it my best shot and hit him for six sixes if I can. If I don't, well done to him. It was really tough to be out there because I know the guy is going through a hard time," he added.

When asked if he thought McGain would make the Ashes, he said: Hopefully he'll get a chance again."

McGain finished the first innings with the worst economy rate in an innings of any Aussie who has bowled more than 10 overs, and the second-worst in Test history.

At times it was excruciating to watch. At the end of the second day, his figures read 11 overs, two maidens, no wickets for 102. By innings' end it blew out to be 0-149 from 18 overs.

His Victoria team mate Peter Siddle bowled 35 overs and took 1-67 on a day when every other frontline bowler went into triple figures.

He could do little but stand by as his mate's dream turned into a nightmare.

"It was tough," Siddle said. "I couldn't really help him too much. He's a bit down and disappointed with how we went, but I've played a lot of cricket with Bryce back home and he's a tough competitor." (ANI)