De Villiers still managing troublesome back ahead of Test return

Cape Town, December 24: AB de Villiers admits his troublesome back problem will need to be monitored as he prepares to make his long-awaited return to the Test arena in South Africa's contest against Zimbabwe.

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The batsman has not played in cricket's longest format since January 2016, having scored 8,074 runs in 106 Tests during his career, but will take centre stage for the day-night, four-day clash between the Proteas and Zimbabwe, which starts on Tuesday (December 26).

The 33-year-old was withdrawn from an invitational side in Paarl earlier this week and concedes his long-standing back issue will have to be treated with caution.

"It's not really a big problem. It's a little niggle, something I have had for the last eight or nine years and something I have to manage with my workload," De Villiers said.

"I had a few intense games in the last few months and I started feeling it again towards the end of the Ram Slam finals.

"There's nothing you can do, it's a little tweak. I was honest with the convener and a few guys and asked them for a few days off.

"The doctor also treated me and suggested I take a few days off. It's as simple as that. I needed a bit of rest and I feel fit and ready to go again."

On the prospect of facing the pink ball, he added: "I pride myself in the fact that I can adapt to certain conditions and formats.

"I have worked hard on my game over the last six months. I started in July facing red balls at the University of Pretoria, getting some technical stuff sorted out, I feel more ready than ever to take it on.

"I faced a few pink balls here on a spicy wicket, it was really tough. Then again it's a great challenge, it's the ultimate form of the game, it's the greatest challenge to come out on top when the ball is moving around a bit."

Source: OPTA