South African ODI skipper AB de Villiers is being groomed for the job of Test captain, along with captaining the one-day side at the ICC Champions Trophy, according to outgoing coach Gary Kirsten.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has led the ODI side for the last two years and Kirsten, who leaves his post next month, said that he is being groomed for the Test job for when veteran skipper Graeme Smith steps down, Sport24 reports.
The report further said that since a chronic ankle problem would keep Smith out for the next four to six months, coupled with the fact that the medical team been unable to find a permanent fix, it may hasten Smith's departure, fast tracking de Villiers into the job.
Backing De Villiers to be Smith's successor, Kirsten said that the one-day captain is growing as a leader as he has got great leadership qualities, a great value system as a human being, along with his understanding of the strategy on the field.
Although there is a worry that the demands of the captaincy, wicket-keeping and his role as a key batsman in the top order may be too much of a burden on De Villiers, but Kirsten said that his form with the bat has been outstanding and suggested that he would remain with the gloves for the foreseeable future.
