AB De Villiers opts out of three-match Test series against New Zealand

Cape Town: South Africa batsman AB de Villiers has ruled himself out of the team`s three-test series in New Zealand in March.

De Villiers has recovered from an elbow injury which kept him out of the recent home test series wins over New Zealand and Sri Lanka, as well as the away victory in Australia in November.

He has handed over test captaincy to Faf du Plessis and admits that playing at the 2019 50-over World Cup in England and Wales remains his career priority.

"I`ve made (myself) unavailable for the tests in New Zealand," de Villiers told reporters on Tuesday. "I`m not there yet. I need a bit of time just to settle things in my head. For me the goal is the 2019 World Cup – I want to lift that trophy."

But with an away test series in England to come in July and August, as well as high-profile home series in the next South African summer against India and Australia, de Villiers said he would make a test return at some stage.