AB de Villiers returns to play for Titans, although only as a batsman

The Titans face the Warriors, with the match shaping to be a classic decider for the first place on the table. The winners would climb above the Dolphins to go into the last round of matches at the pole position.

A loss for either of these sides would knock them out of the playoff places only if the Knights beat the Highveld Lions in Kimberly on Tuesday. Coach Mark Boucher has to make a tough decision regarding the inclusion of the South African batsman AB de Villiers, as he looks to balance his side in terms of cricketing capabilities and quota considerations.

One thing that is sure for Mark Boucher’s team is that Heino Kuhn will continue as the wicketkeeper, which means that AB de Villiers will only be playing as a specialist batsman.

“I couldn’t do that to AB, he hasn’t kept for a while and I don’t want to put any extra strain on his body, which is obviously already an issue. I don’t want to be the guy who gives him a back injury and then he misses out on an IPL contract!

“We’re short of batsmen, so both Heino and Aiden Markram will have to play. So a bowler will make way for AB, but we still have plenty of bowling options,” Boucher said on Monday.

Titans received another good news in the form of Chris Morris, who returns to the squad after catching a flight back home from New Zealand ahead of the Proteas’ third Test against New Zealand. This would give the Titans a top-class strike bowler against the batting of Jon-Jon Smuts and Colin Ingram.

This would mean that Boucher will have to drop the in-from leg-spinner Shaun von Borg and all-rounder David Weise to accommodate AB de Villiers and Chris Morris. The inclusion of AB de Villiers will not only give a world of confidence for the former South-African wicketkeeper but also for the Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman.

AB de Villiers would want to improve his form and his fitness with a solid display in the outing against the Warriors.