http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Allan-Robert-Border-c43726 de Villiers – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754, which is starting from Wednesday, March 7.
Both Kallis and Smith are currently unfit, but De Villiers assured that they will be ready before the start of the three-match Test series at Dunedin. Kallis is having back issues while Smith’s arm is still a bit sore, after the left-hander was stuck on
it before the first ODI.
De Villiers, who inspired the Proteas to a 3-0 whitewash over their rivals New Zealand in the ODI’s, will be returning to his Test role as a specialist batsman, will be handing over the captaincy to Smith – who is South Africa’s Test skipper.
The duo had to sit out of the final ODI because of their respective injuries. De Villiers said that the decision to go without Smith in the third ODI at http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Auckland-c766 was taken to ensure that the left-hander will be match fit for the Test.
He said, “Graeme will be ready for the Tests, I'm 100% sure of that. His arm is still sore. We waited till this morning and it wasn't feeling so good, so we decided that him being captain for the Tests, and with this series already won, he would be better
off resting for the Tests.”
The 28-year-old also spoke about the seriousness of Kallis’ stiff back. De Villiers calmed the nerves of the Proteas supporters by stating that Kallis did not get a good night sleep, as he has mattress issues, and for that very reason, he had stiffness.
Having won the ODI series, the Proteas opted not to risk Kallis. De Villiers said, “Jacque should be fine for the Test. The mattress he slept on probably wasn't to his liking and gave him a stiff back. He bowled a lot in the first two games, probably more
than I had originally planned, so it's not such a bad thing to rest him and keep him fresh for the Tests.”
De Villiers joked about the mattress saying that he too shares the problem and sometimes getting off the mattress is the hardest thing to do.
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