One-day series: Fully fit De Villiers ready to face Australia

South Africa skipper had missed two-Test series against New Zealand due to injury

CAPE TOWN: South Africa’s talismanic captain AB de Villiers has recovered from injury and been included in the Proteas squad for the one-day series at home against Australia starting later this month.

De Villiers missed the recent two-Test series with New Zealand due to an elbow problem, but is on track to be fit for the five-match series against Australia, announced Cricket South Africa (CSA) yesterday.

Seamer Andile Phehlukwayo has received his first call-up to the 50-over squad for the series, while fast-bowler Dale Steyn and hard-hitting middle-order batsman David Miller return after missing the triangular series in the Caribbean against Australia and West Indies in June.

Morne Morkel and Rilee Roussow were not considered due to injury and lack of match fitness respectively.

“Andile was our leading wicket-taker for South Africa A in the recently concluded quadrangular series in Australia,” convenor of selectors Linda Zondi said in a statement from CSA. “He has been knocking on the door for some time following his strong performances in last season’s [domestic] One-Day Cup.”

South Africa play a one-off ODI against Ireland on September 25 in Benoni ahead of the Australia series, with Test batsman Temba Bavuma and uncapped all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius included in the squad for that game only.

“As far as Temba Bavuma is concerned we want to see what he can do in the ODI format after the extremely successful run he has had in the Test squad where he has averaged 66 during the current calendar year,” said Zondi.

The series with Australia gets underway on September 30 in Centurion and finishes October 12 in Cape Town.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2016.

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