De Villiers fit to play warm-up fixture

Christchurch, Feb 10 (IANS) South Africa skipper AB de Villiers should be fit and ready to face New Zealand in the World Cup warm-up fixture here Wednesday.

De Villiers missed the Proteas’ first warm-up game against Sri Lanka after complaining off a stiff right hip. However, South Africa is not worried that the injury would prove to be a cause for concern at the World Cup, which starts Feb 14.

"AB complained of stiffness in his right hip. Our medical team examined him and the decision was made not to risk him. His omission was was merely a precautionary measure to ensure he doesn't suffer any further discomfort," Lerato Malekutu, the team's spokesperson, was quoted as saying by sport24.co.za.

Malekutu added de Villiers should be ready for Wednesday's warm-up match. South Africa begin their World Cup campaign against Zimbabwe in Hamilton Sunday.

De Villiers has scored 7,459 Runs from 179 One-Day Internationals.