Ground announcer tries to rattle de Villiers by playing his own pop song

South African batsman AB de Villiers in action against the Black Caps in Hamilton. Photo / Alan Gibson

The nation's strategy to dismiss AB de Villiers took on desperate measures in last night's fourth one-day cricket international in Hamilton when he was serenaded through the public address system by his own pop song.

The 33-year-old was at his barnacle best on the way to 72 not out from 57 balls in South Africa's 279 for eight.

New Zealand eventually beat the visitors by seven wickets, courtesy of Martin Guptill's 180 not out from 138 balls.

A break in play saw de Villiers' hit single Maak Jou Drome Waar (translated from Afrikaans as Make Your Dreams Come True) waft across the ground in a subtle attempt at distraction.

He released a bilingual pop album of the same name in August 2010, described by a fan site as consisting "mainly of power ballads with a 'follow-your-dreams' theme; and of love songs".

De Villiers learned to play the guitar at school and often takes it on tour.

At the time of release he said "it has always been my dream to make and record music. And we're not merely dabbling in it - we've decided that our CD can't be anything but great."

The subterfuge effort came to nought as the Proteas, courtesy of de Villiers, Chris Morris and Wayne Parnell, blasted 100 runs from the last eight overs of their innings.

De Villiers had scored 37 not out, 45 and 85 earlier in the ODI series, highlighting his knack as a finisher.

The omni-genial South African skipper was asked if he had heard his dulcet tones echoing around the ground.

"I did. I was singing along and playing a bit of air guitar on my bat as well. I thought I'd be on the highlights package."

Given bowling and serenading don't work, it's time for Plan C to be concocted ahead of the deciding ODI at Eden Park on Saturday night.