South Africa suffered a big blow when their medical team declared their Test captain AB de Villiers and fast bowler Morne Morkel unfit to play cricket for 6 months. AB de Villiers needs some time off to recover from the elbow injury that he had picked up during his Caribbean Premier League (CPL) stint and Morne Morkel will nurse his recurring back pain.
CSA Selection Convener, Linda Zondi said, “It is most unfortunate that we will not be able to call on two players of the quality and experience of De Villiers and Morkel. However, we are fortunate to have a capable stand-in leader in Faf du Plessis and other exciting options to select from.”
Zondi added, “Injuries are a reality that we have to deal with and with both Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander fit and firing again after their respective long-term injuries, I am confident that we have the players to take on New Zealand and win.”
Team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee revealed, “AB complained of pain in his left elbow while he was participating in the CPL and subsequent MRI scans revealed an impingement of the joint capsule. He has since been released from the CPL and will need extensive rehab and treatment during a recovery period of between six and eight weeks.”
“Morne has been suffering from mild back pain of which scans and further investigation by a specialist revealed a bulging disk. He will also require rehab and a recovery period of between four and six weeks. We are hoping to have both players fully fit and available for selection for the start of the Momentum ODI series against Australia in October.”
Here is South Africa’s squad for the home Test series against New Zealand:
South Africa Squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Stephen Cook, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl
