Proteas star AB de Villiers has admitted that long-term back problems could force him to give up wicketkeeping in Tests.
De Villiers has relinquished the gloves in ODIs and T20s and may soon be forced to do the same in the long format of the game.
He was unable to keep in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle because of a hamstring injury. Though he has recovered, he is unlikely to keep in the second Test which starts on Thursday.
“In the last game I had that hammy issue. That’s sort of recovered, but my back’s always been an issue,” de Villiers told ESPNcricinfo.com.
“It’s difficult to take on the gloves, especially keeping in mind that I haven’t kept for six or seven months now. So, with that injury and a two-day turnaround after the day off yesterday, for me to get into shape with my gloves on would be a little bit unfair with my back.”
It means Quinton de Kock, who took eight catches, had one stumping, and scored his maiden Test half-century in Galle, can be assured of his place in the XI for the second Test in Colombo.
De Villiers is unsure of his future plans as regards wicketkeeping, except to say that if he does so again it will only be if he is fully fit.
“I’d still like to think that I’m a wicketkeeping-batsman and whatever the team wants me to do, I’ll do that,” he said.
“But we’d have to manage it really well so that I don’t come into a series having not kept for five or six months. I have to come prepared to a series without any niggles.”
