De Villiers to miss BD Tests

JOHANNESBURG: South African star AB de Villiers will miss his team’s two-Test series in Bangladesh while he takes paternity leave but will play in the limited-overs matches beforehand.
As cover, South Africa have named wicketkeeper-batsman Dane Vilas, who is one of four new Test caps. Opening batsman Reeza Hendricks, left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada have all earned maiden call-ups which left no room for Dane Piedt or Kyle Abbott, who were part of South Africa’s last two Test squads.
“The changes have been brought about partly by the retirement of Alviro Petersen and the non-availability of AB de Villiers who has been granted paternity leave,” CSA convener Andrew Hudson said in a statement.
“Reeza and Stiaan van Zyl are both options to open the batting and Stiaan can also be used in AB’s batting position in the middle-order. Dane provides us with the wicket-keeping cover that would normally also be AB’s responsibility.
“Aaron gives us a left-arm spin bowling option and we see this as the ideal opportunity to involve Kagiso in the Test team environment once again.”
Pace duo Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander have been rested for the three-match one-day series and were replaced by Rabada, Chris Morris and all-rounder Ryan McLaren.
Starting from July 5, South Africa will play two T20 games, three one-dayers and two Tests against Bangladesh.
South Africa’s Test squad: Hashim Amla (captain), Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Simon Harmer, Reeza Hendricks, Morne Morkel, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas.
ODI squad: AB de Villiers (captain), Kyle Abbott, Amla, Farhaan Behardien, De Kock, Duminy, Du Plessis, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Phangiso, Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Imran Tahir.
T20 squad: Du Plessis (capt), Abbott, De Kock, De Villiers, Duminy, Beuran Hendricks, Eddie Leie, Miller, Morris, Parnell, Phangiso, Rabada, Rossouw, David Wiese.