Boucher says De Villiers, not Clarke, is world's best batsman

Former South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher has said that his former teammate AB de Villiers is the best batsman in the world instead of Australian captain Michael Clarke.

Clarke, who is ranked eighth in Tests, boasts an incredible average of 70 in his 11 Tests against South Africa while De Villiers is the highest ranked batsman in both Tests and ODIs and is also the first-choice wicketkeeper since Boucher was forced to retire in 2012.

According to Telegraph.com.au, De Villiers' batting average is higher when he takes the gloves (57) than without (50) and Boucher said that he finds it difficult to believe when he hears about Clarke being called as world's best batsman as De Villiers is the world's best batter in both the one-day format and Test cricket.

Boucher also slammed Australia's boast of having the best pace attack in the world, with the trio of Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle, saying that the South African version (Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel) has done the same in all different conditions and for a longer period of time.

Australia has vowed to continue their aggressive brand of cricket but Boucher, who played 21 Tests against Australia, has never known them to play any other way, saying that the team never used to back down

Boucher also said that the South African players are under no illusions that the Australian bowlers are going to come hard at them, backed up by good fielders, adding that South Africa is in a situation where they know they can also give it back.