Published: Sep 23, 2016, 08:34 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 23, 2016, 08:34 AM (IST)
South Africa‘s star batsman AB de Villiers is fighting a battle against time to get fit before the Test series in Australia begins. The 32-year-old right hander, will have to pass a crucial fitness test, for his elbow injury next Tuesday. The decision will be taken then, on whether de Villiers’ injury can be managed through “rest, physiotherapy and aggressive rehabilitation” or it will require a surgery. If surgery is left as the only option, he will be sidelined for another six to eight weeks for recovering, which would subsequently mean that de Villiers will be ruled out of the three-match Test series in Australia, which begins with the first Test at WACA, in Perth on November 3, and also the five-match ODI series against visitors Australia at home, that begins next week.
His absence would not only mean that a huge setback for South Africa in the ODI series, as he is one of the world’s best batsmen, in the format, or in the Tests of which he is an integral part. A crowd puller of the highest order, Australian crowds who were expecting to watch him play at home. de Villiers has already been ruled out of the one-of ODI against Ireland that will be played at Benoni. READ: AB de Villiers ruled out of one-off ODI vs Ireland
“About six weeks ago he (de Villiers) was diagnosed with a left elbow injury. At the time, the recommendation was specifically to have a period of rest, physiotherapy and aggressive rehabilitation. He has subsequently seen an elbow specialist, the area was infiltrated with cortisone and he has what we commonly refer to as an impingement syndrome, so when he plays certain cricket shots what normally happens is he gets excruciating pain in the left elbow. Sometimes, this does settle with the conservative approach of rest, rehab and the cortisone infiltration, but unfortunately, in AB’s case it hasn’t been so and with that in mind we’ve given him an extended period of rest which is another week,” South Africa team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee told a media conference, as quoted by Cricket.com.au. READ: South Africa vs Australia: Darren Lehmann to go ahead with 3 uncapped pacers
He added, “We will re-assess on Tuesday when … a call will be made. Obviously he needs to pass a fitness test, that elbow needs to stand up to the rigours of international cricket. If, at the time, he does not come through a fitness test then a date for surgery will be set and if he does go for surgery then you are looking at a period of six to eight weeks rest. If he has surgery, then he’ll be out of the Test series (in Australia).”
Dr. Moosajee also said that the injury, which has also affected South Africa’s former captain Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, as well as Sachin Tendulkar in the past, can be caused by overload (particular strokes that place stress on a particular area) and overuse (too much cricket). de Villiers heavy schedule, it looks like has had a major role to play in this injury of his.
“The cricket calendar, unfortunately, has become more extended than it used to be,” he said. The fact that there has been some other tournaments like the IPL has added to the load, but I think we need to understand that having played more than 10 years of international cricket, there are going to be challenges where you’re going to have some form of injuries. And unfortunately AB’s just having that left elbow niggle that he hasn’t been able to shake off for the time being,” he added.
South Africa Coach Russell Domingo meanwhile, had a philosophical view on the matter. “It’s not ideal, but what can you do. It’s part of the game, we’ll assess him next week and hopefully he passes. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t. We’ve just got to move on, it’s difficult to replace a player of AB’s ability but it’s a great opportunity for somebody to make a play and do something massive for the team. There’s no use moaning about it, it is what it is,” Domingo said, while confirming that Faf du Plessis who also led the team against New Zealand in the Test series, will captain the side in the ODI against Ireland.
