De Villiers set to return to action against Bangladesh

South Africa's AB de Villers is set to return to action when he will feature for the South Africa Invitation XI against Bangladesh in a warm up match.

JP Duminy will lead the Invitation XI side in the 50 over tour match which will be played at Bloemfontein's Mangaung Oval on Thursday, October 12. The tour match will follow the second Test match between the Tigers and the Proteas which is set to be played on October 6.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) National Selection Panel Convener Linda Zondi said: "Now that JP has retired from first-class cricket this will be a quality match play opportunity for him ahead of the Momentum ODI Series.

"We are expecting AB to play in the next round of Sunfoil Series matches but he too will benefit from some game time in the shorter format.

"This match also provides the ideal opportunity for us to expand our player base for white-ball cricket, grow our talent and generally plan for the future.

Zondi suggested that South Africa would like to give younger players more chances and cited India as an example in this regard.

"One of the reasons why India do so well at youth level is that they expose their younger players to competition in senior cricket at a young age and we intend to follow a similar path going forward," concluded Zondi.

Keshav Maharaj  and Aiden Markram have both been included in the Invitation XI squad.

SA INVITATION XI: JP Duminy (WSB Cape Cobras, capt), Matthew Breetzke (EP), Mbulelo Budaza (VKB Knights), AB de Villiers (Multiply Titans), Robbie Frylinck (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Beuran Hendricks (bizhub Highveld Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Multiply Titans), Wiaan Mulder (bizhub Highveld Lions), Malusi Siboto (Multiply Titans), Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)  (Source: supersport)