South Africa vs Zimbabwe: AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn make comeback in Test cricket

AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn have made a comeback in Test cricket after more than a year. Both the players have been named in the Test side that will play the first ever day-night Test against Zimbabwe from December 26 to 29. Along with them, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander have too made comebacks in international cricket.

De Villiers last played a Test match way back in January 2016. He suffered an elbow injury and was then ruled out for the tour of Australia. Later, he stepped down from the post of captain and also decided to miss the New Zealand and England Test series. He decided to focus on limited overs cricket during the period solely and is now making a comeback to the Test format.

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Steyn, on the other hand, was ruled out due to the injury which he suffered during the first Test against Australia last year. Later, it turned out to be a shoulder fracture which ruled him out for a lengthy period. He recently made a comeback to the domestic cricket and had been named in the side after showing signs of fitness.

Morkel suffered an injury during the first Test against Bangladesh and has been out of international action since. He made a comeback to domestic cricket and had played a T20 and first-class game before being named in the side.

Last to make a comeback after recovering from injury is Vernon Philander, who missed complete Bangladesh series after returning from England. Philander made a comeback to domestic cricket a few months back after recovering from the lower back problem.

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Amidst doubts that prevailed over the Faf du Plessis’ participation, the skipper has been named in the side, thus confirming that he will play the inaugural day/night Test match.

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Kagiso Rabada and Andile Phehukwayo have also been named in the side, which leaves South Africa with much to options to choose from in the pace department.

The inaugural day/night Test will be played at St. George’s Park in Port Elizabeth. Zimbabwe will play a three-day practice match before the historic game.

Squad: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn.

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