Speedster Dale Steyn has vouched for AB de Villiers to return as the skipper of South Africa in Tests and ODIs. Speaking after an exhibition match between South African cricket and Rugby teams in Newlands, the pacer backed the ‘super-man’ while not denying the brilliant display of leadership from stand-in captain Faf du Plessis, under whom the Proteas have achieved immense success, both in ODIs and Tests this year.
“I think so, he is the captain. He is definitely the captain. I know Faf has done really well for us right now, but AB is the captain. He has earned that spot. He has played for a long time, and he said he wants to do it and he got the opportunity to. Unfortunately, he got injured, but he is the man at the end of the day.”
Faf du Plessis, who found himself in the center of mint-gate controversy during the Australian tour, was widely praised for his exceptional captaincy too, as the outcome of the series is enough to put some weight on the statement.
Dale Steyn, who got hinself injured during the tour, agreed with Faf’s words of standing behind de Villiers when he returns as captain.
“When AB steps back into the side, there should be almost no question about it. I know there have been eyebrows raised because Faf has done well, but there should never be any question about who the real captain is or who the captain is, and he should just step back into it and continue what Faf has already started.”
Ab de Villiers took the reigns from Hashim Amla mid-way during the home series against England in February before he succumbed to an elbow injury, which kept him out of the game for three months to say the least. Currently going through rehabilitation, de Villiers has practiced only once in nets and is on the path of recovery ahead of the Sri Lanka series, which starts on Boxing Day.
Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith has shown his concern over the same and said de Villiers’ priority should be to attain full fitness before stepping on the field rather than worrying about his captaincy conundrum.
“The most important thing for AB now is just to focus on getting back and fit and playing cricket. I don’t think he should even engage in thinking about that (the captaincy) because he can’t captain from the sidelines.”
The left-handed batsman further added focusing more on his recuperation will only do better for South Africa.
“Having had an elbow injury, it’s not an easy thing to recover from. It takes time, getting those tendons strong and all those muscles. That’s your primary arm that you use when you bat. He should focus on that. The sooner we can get him playing cricket for South Africa, the better.”
Sri Lanka’s tour of South Africa will begin from December 26.