AB de Villiers pulls out of South Africa's warm-up game against Zimbabwe

After a lengthy spell at sidelines, South Africa‘s talented right-handed batsman AB de Villiers is back to playing for the Proteas. However, another injury meant that the right-handed batsman was withdrawn from the squad that was to play for South Africa Invitation XI against the visiting team.

The Invitation XI is playing Zimbabwe in a warm-up game before the 4-day Test that starts at Port Elizabeth on Boxing-day. Despite his return to the South African squad, de Villiers is now out of the squad for the warm-up game due to a lower back strain. Alongside AB, all-rounder Chris Morris is also expected to miss out on the tour game with a groin strain for the three-day tour match that starts on Wednesday at Boland Park.

“AB de Villiers is struggling with lower back stiffness and has been withdrawn from the three-day warm-up match as a precaution,” commented Proteas team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee.

AB might play the Boxing day Test:

However, he ensured that the 33-year-old batsman would be back in the Boxing day Test against Zimbabwe. Young Western Province all-rounder Dayyaan Galiem has been brought into the squad in replacement of Morris for the game.

De Villiers last played a Test match in January 2016 and would play in the Zimbabwe series, while the series would also witness the return of the pace-gun Dale Steyn. However, there is a heavy possibility that South African skipper Faf du Plessis might rest the 34-year-old to give him more time. The rest would be helpful to the right-hander, with Team India ready to give the hosts a tough challenge.

“It is a very exciting moment not just for South Africa but for world cricket to have Dale and AB, two icons of the game, back in the multi-day format,” Linda Zondi, CSA’s convener of selectors said following their selection in the squad for Zimbabwe.