Alviro Petersen reveals the return of AB de Villiers in the Test format

South African batsman Alviro Petersen said that the Proteas will lock horns with Zimbabwe in a Test match on this year’s boxing day. Petersen also hinted that ‘Superman’ AB de Villiers is likely to make his comeback in the longest format of the game in that Test. De Villiers has been on a temporary break from the Test format in order to keep himself fit and available for the 2019 ICC world Cup. However, de Villiers confirmed in a video recently that he will feature in all three formats for the national team from the middle of October.

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The news is yet to be confirmed by Cricket South Africa but Petersen took to his official Twitter handle to reveal it. The right handed batsman broke the news in three tweets which said that the men in green and yellow will take on Zimbabwe on the boxing day in Port Elizabeth and AB de Villiers will be seen making his return.

It can be assumed that the news is a result of India’s decision of pulling back from the South Africa tour that was scheduled for December. The men in blue were supposed to play four Tests, five ODIs, and two T20s but the BCCI decided to keep away from the traditional fixtures due to the festive season. India’s series against Sri Lanka will mark the end of their year.

‘We can’t make it make it in time. The Sri Lanka tour ends on December 24. After that, we need to give the boys a few days’ rest,’ a board official told ESPNcricinfo.

‘The South Africa tour is a big one, so they need to play two warm-up games, so it will take at least 10 days [before the first Test].’ he added.  could be his first appearance in white clothing since the fourth Test against England at Centurion in January last year.

If AB de Villiers features against Zimbabwe, it will be his first appearance in white clothing since the fourth Test against England at Centurion in January last year.

Proteas to play boxing day test in Port Elizabeth against Zimbabwe. Nice average booster…

— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) August 24, 2017

Ab De Villiers to make his long awaited test comeback against Zimbabwe in boxing day test in Port Elizabeth later this year.

— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) August 24, 2017

Faf Du-Plessis to be named Proteas captain in all formats.

— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) August 24, 2017