AB de Villiers ruled out of Sri Lanka Test series, steps down as captain

South African batsman AB de Villiers has stepped down as the captain of the national Test team. The decision by the batting maestro will be underway with immediate effect. Faf du Plessis will take charge of the Test team. AB de Villiers will continue to lead the side in the ODI format. He was first appointed as the Test skipper when Hashim Amla had stepped down as the captain following a poor series against England earlier this season.

AB had then led the team in two of the remaining Test matches against England. His next assignment was expected to be against New Zealand. However, an elbow injury saw him bow out of action. He missed the limited overs ODI series against Australia at home as well. Last month, he missed out on the Test series down under. South Africa, under the leadership of Faf du Plessis, thumped the hosts Australia 2-1 in the Test series.

Now, he has failed to recover from the injury and hence will not be a part of the upcoming Sri Lanka Test series either. Cricket South Africa announced the news on their official Twitter handle. They wrote, “De Villiers has been ruled out of the 3-match Test series against Sri Lanka after failing to recover sufficiently from an elbow injury.”

De Villiers has been ruled out of the 3-match Test series against Sri Lanka after failing to recover sufficiently from an elbow injury. pic.twitter.com/x1CZNyujnb

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) December 12, 2016

Earlier, when AB de Villiers announced his stepping down as the captain, he mentioned the reasons behind giving up the job. He cited that the personal interests are never over the team interests. He quoted, “The interests of the team must always outweigh the interests of any individual, including me. It was a fantastic honour for me to be asked to captain the Test side but I have missed two series and I am still in doubt for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Following the squad’s outstanding performances in Australia, it is clearly in the greater interests of the team that Faf du Plessis should be confirmed as the permanent Test captain.”

He further praised Faf du Plessis saying that he has seen Faf play since his schooldays. He mentioned that his support will always be there for Faf du Plessis. “I have known Faf for almost 20 years, ever since we played in the same school side at Afrikaans Hoer Seunskool, and he will have my unequivocal support if he is asked to continue leading this exciting Proteas Test team,” he added further.

Dr. Mohammed Moosajee, the Proteas team manager, quoted that AB will take 3-4 weeks to get back in action. He is most likely to return in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. “AB’s left elbow is much improved but is still regaining the last few degrees of straightening. Fitness to play requires full range of elbow movement and this may take another 3-4 weeks to achieve. He will be unavailable for the Test series against Sri Lanka and will target a return for the ODI series starting at the end of January,” he quoted.

The Chief Executive of Cricket South Africa (CSA), Mr. Haroon Lorgat, said AB de Villiers is a true team player. He quoted, “AB has always carried himself as a true team player and his decision to step down confirms his attitude to put the team first. it is no surprise that the CSA Board has confirmed Faf du Plessis as the Test captain to take over from AB.”