Papa-to-be AB De Villiers Takes a Break After 98 Test Matches at a Stretch
AB de Villiers has been granted leave for the birth of his first child with wife Danielle and his absence will end a run of 98 consecutive Tests -- most by a South African.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: May 28, 2015 10:58 AM IST
![Papa-to-be AB De Villiers Takes a Break After 98 Test Matches at a Stretch](https://s.ndtvimg.com/images/content/2015/jan/806/ab-de-villiers-ton-vs-wi.jpg)
AB de Villiers' 98-Test streak is set come to an end after the star batsman pulled out the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh in July. De Villiers has been granted leave for the birth of his first child with wife Danielle and his absence will end a run of 98 consecutive Tests -- the most by a South African.
Australian great Allan Border holds the record for most consecutive Tests -- 153, followed by England skipper Alastair Cook (111 and counting), Australia's Mark Waugh (107) and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar (106).
South Africa have made a few changes to their 15-man squad for the Test series starting July 21.
"The changes have been brought about partly by the retirement of Alviro Petersen and the non-availability of AB de Villiers who has been granted paternity leave," said CSA selection convener, Andrew Hudson.
"Reeza and Stiaan van Zyl are both options to open the batting and Stiaan can also be used in AB's batting position in the middle-order. Dane provides us with the wicketkeeping cover that would normally also be AB's responsibility," he added.
Meanwhile, pacers Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander have been rested for the three-match ODI series from July 10 and the players brought in are fast bowlers, Chris Morris and Ryan McLaren.
Leg-spinner, Eddie Leie, is the only uncapped player included in the T20 squad. A number of senior players have been rested including Steyn, Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir. The series starts with T20s from July 5.
"With next year's ICC World Twenty20 to be played in India we need to explore our bowling options under sub-continent conditions," commented Hudson.
"Morris has done well in the IPL as have David Wiese and Beuran Hendricks and this tour represents an important opportunity to broaden their international playing experience," he said.
Test squad: Hashim Amla (capt), Dean Elgar, Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis, Stiaan van Zyl, JP Duminy, Quinton de Kock, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Aaron Phangiso, Simon Harmer, Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Vilas.
ODI squad: AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla (vice-capt), Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, JP Duminy, David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, Chris Morris, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada, Kyle Abbott, Aaron Phangiso, Wayne Parnell, Ryan McLaren.
T20 squad: Faf du Plessis (capt), Quinton de Kock, Rilee Rossouw, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, David Wiese, Chris Morris, Kyle Abbott, Kagiso Rabada, Aaron Phangiso, Eddie Leie, Wayne Parnell, Beuran Hendricks.
Bangladesh tour Itinerary
05 July 2015: 1st T20 International, Dhaka
07 July 2015: 2nd T20 International, Dhaka
10 July 2015: 1st ODI, Dhaka
12 July 2015: 2nd ODI, Dhaka
15 July 2015: 3rd ODI, Chittagong
21 July 2015: 1st Test, Chittagong
30 July 2015: 2nd Test, Dhaka