AB de Villiers Out for Six Weeks, Faf Du Plessis to Lead SA vs NZ in Tests
This is the first time since his debut in 2004 that AB de Villiers will miss a Test match due to injury. Faf du Plessis will fill in as captain for the home series versus New Zealand
- NDTVSports
- Updated: August 02, 2016 08:33 PM IST
![AB de Villiers Out for Six Weeks, Faf Du Plessis to Lead SA vs NZ in Tests](https://s.ndtvimg.com/images/content/2016/aug/806/faf-du-plessis-ab-de-villiers.jpg)
Highlights
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De Villiers and Morne Morkel will be out of action for six weeks
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Wayne Parnell makes a return to the Test squad
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South Africa will play a two-Test series vs New Zealand
Since making his debut in 2004, AB de Villiers will miss his first Test due to injury. De Villiers will miss six weeks of international cricket due to an elbow injury. Faf du Plessis will fill in as captain for the two Tests versus New Zealand later this month.
South Africa will host New Zealand for a two-Test series at Kingsmead in Durban from August 19 to 23 and at SuperSport Park in Centurion from August 27 to 31.
Also missing the series will be Morne Morkel. The pacer's absence has paved the way for Wayne Parnell to stage a return to Test cricket. The Proteas attack will also see the fit-again Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.
Commenting on the injuries, Proteas team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee said: "AB complained of pain in his left elbow while he was participating in the Caribbean Premier League and subsequent MRI scans revealed an impingement of the joint capsule."
De Villiers has since been released from the CPL and will need extensive rehab and treatment during a recovery period of between six and eight weeks.
"Morne has been suffering from mild back pain of which scans and further investigation by a specialist revealed a bulging disk. He will also require rehab and a recovery period of between four and six weeks. We are hoping to have both players fully fit and available for selection for the start of the ODI series against Australia in October," said Moosajee.
De Villiers said: "I'm naturally disappointed to miss the Test series against New Zealand, particularly because I have not missed a Test match through injury since my debut in 2004.
"However, with an exciting summer of cricket ahead, it is obviously sensible to give my elbow time to heal properly. The Proteas finished last season on a positive note with a win against England in the last Test match, and I am confident that, with Faf at the helm, the team will build on this success."
SA Test squad: Faf du Plessis, Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Stephen Cook, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl.