Not now please! AB de Villiers has SA nervy as injury flares up

AB de Villiers sure isn’t being reassuring towards the Proteas.

South Africa’s one-day skipper withdrew from Royal Challengers Bangalore’s match against Gujarat Lions in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday afternoon.

Also read: IPL thanks AB de Villiers’ wife for her pep talk

It’s the second time in this campaign that De Villiers has been sidelined with a suspected back injury and has many wondering how ready he’ll be for the Proteas’ ICC Champions Trophy assault in England.

The dynamic batter missed his franchise’s first two games after feeling only “90% ready”.

He returned to score 89*, 19 and 29 in his next three games.

“Disappointed to be missing the match tonight for RCB, due to injury,” De Villiers wrote on Twitter.

The 33-year-old was superb in the Proteas’ one-day series win over New Zealand last month and, despite not playing Test cricket currently, is a vital player in the limited overs format.

South Africa announce their squads for the tour to England in Illovo on Wednesday and it’s hoped De Villiers’ name can be read out without any injury concern.

Meanwhile, seamer Vernon Philander’s scan on a groin injury only revealed a grade one tear.

He’s currently playing for English county Sussex in preparation for the tour.

Normally, an injury of that kind only means 10 days’ rest.

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