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Cape Town - AB de Villiers says Australian umpire Rod Tucker has apologised after his no-ball blunder in their World Twenty20 win over England in Chittagong at the weekend.
Albie Morkel had England danger-man Alex Hales caught at point by JP Duminy, only for Tucker to call no-ball, despite replays clearly showing that Morkel had not over-stepped.
Hales was on nine at the time and eventually went on to make 38 off 22 balls.
De Villiers, who led the Proteas in absence of the suspended Faf du Plessis, said he was happy that the decision did not result in defeat for South Africa, who booked their spot in the semi-finals with a three-run victory.
"I asked him to refer it upstairs, but he said he already made his decision. I knew what his answer would be, but I just wanted to buy some time, slow things down, because the guys were quite upset," De Villiers told the Volksblad website.
"These things happen in cricket, we all make mistakes. At least he apologised afterwards. Luckily it didn't cost us the match."
It was not the first time that Tucker had made errors against South Africa. He gave Jacques Kallis out lbw against India at the Wanderers earlier this season, with replays showing Kallis got an inside edge.
Kallis was also at the wrong end of a Tucker decision against England at Lord's in 2012. Tucker was the third umpire and gave Kallis out after the ball had touched his gloves, but replays showed his gloves were not on his bat handle at the time of impact.
The Proteas travelled to Dhaka on Sunday morning, and will wait on the results of the final round of matches to see which team they play in the semi-finals.
They will also have Du Plessis back as captain after his one-match suspension for maintaining a slow over-rate.
Albie Morkel had England danger-man Alex Hales caught at point by JP Duminy, only for Tucker to call no-ball, despite replays clearly showing that Morkel had not over-stepped.
Hales was on nine at the time and eventually went on to make 38 off 22 balls.
De Villiers, who led the Proteas in absence of the suspended Faf du Plessis, said he was happy that the decision did not result in defeat for South Africa, who booked their spot in the semi-finals with a three-run victory.
"I asked him to refer it upstairs, but he said he already made his decision. I knew what his answer would be, but I just wanted to buy some time, slow things down, because the guys were quite upset," De Villiers told the Volksblad website.
"These things happen in cricket, we all make mistakes. At least he apologised afterwards. Luckily it didn't cost us the match."
It was not the first time that Tucker had made errors against South Africa. He gave Jacques Kallis out lbw against India at the Wanderers earlier this season, with replays showing Kallis got an inside edge.
Kallis was also at the wrong end of a Tucker decision against England at Lord's in 2012. Tucker was the third umpire and gave Kallis out after the ball had touched his gloves, but replays showed his gloves were not on his bat handle at the time of impact.
The Proteas travelled to Dhaka on Sunday morning, and will wait on the results of the final round of matches to see which team they play in the semi-finals.
They will also have Du Plessis back as captain after his one-match suspension for maintaining a slow over-rate.
