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AB doubtful for first Test

Cape Town - South Africa's AB de Villiers looks doubtful to play in the first Test against Australia at Newlands.

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De Villiers fractured a finger in his left hand during warm-up when he played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Champions League T20 in India last month.

The injury forced the South African one-day captain to miss the recently concluded T20 and ODI series' against the Aussies. Hashim Amla captained the side in De Villiers's absence.

The Proteas' doctor, Mohammed Moosajee, told the Rapport newspaper De Villiers will see a specialist in Johannesburg on Thursday to determine whether he could play in the first Test in Cape Town on November 9.

"There will be more X-rays done on the finger, after which we will have a better idea on his availability," said Moosajee.

De Villiers says he is recovering well, but is not sure if he will be ready for the clash in Cape Town.

"The finger is healing well and the specialist is happy with my progress, but I will probably have to wait for another week or two.

"It's still not certain if I will recover in time for the first Test.

"I really hope so, but a safer target is probably the second one (second Test in Durban on November 17)," said De Villiers.

Proteas coach Gary Kirsten says he would like De Villiers to play a first class match before he plays for the Proteas again, which indicates he will in all likelihood not play in Cape Town.

"We are hopeful that AB will be ready, but he still needs match practice.

"He's going to try and play first class cricket before the Test series (for the Titans in the SuperSport Series).

"He's looking good, but a final decision can only be taken after he has had some match play," said Kirsten.
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