Big blow: De Villiers out for Ireland ODI, doubt for Australia

South Africa will be without skipper for one-off clash on Sunday

JOHANNESBURG: South African captain AB de Villiers, struggling to recover from a left elbow injury, will miss a one-off ODI against Ireland in Benoni on Sunday.

The world’s top-ranked ODI batsman is also in doubt for a five-match series against Australia, which starts in Centurion on September 30.

Cricket South Africa announced yesterday that De Villiers had been given “an extended period of rehabilitation” and his participation in the series against Australia would be subject to a fitness test.



He suffered the injury in August and did not play in two Test matches against New Zealand later that month.

Faf du Plessis, who captained the team against New Zealand, will again stand in as captain against Ireland.



South Africa team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee revealed the right-handed batsman is still experiencing pain. “AB has been on a rigorous rehabilitation and treatment plan for the last six weeks but is still complaining of pain in the elbow region,” he said.



“We consulted with a specialist, who advised extensive rehab and injected the elbow with cortisone. The CSA medical committee has recommended a few more days of rehab to allow the elbow to improve.”

Moosajee said surgery was a last option. “But we hope that the extra time will allow the injury to respond to treatment.”

Rilee Rossouw has been added to the squad as batting cover.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd, 2016.

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