A TWEAKED hamstring prevented AB de Villiers from keeping wicket in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle last weekend.

Now his lingering back problem has made it highly unlikely that he will be behind the stumps for the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) tomorrow.

So, it seems Quinton de Kock will retain the gloves and De Villiers will again play as a batsman. Yesterday, De Villiers tried to explain the situation.

"In the last game I had that 'hammy' issue.

"That's recovered, but my back has always been an issue," he said.

Another problem, De Villiers said, was that his most recent Test as a wicketkeeper was against Australia at Newlands in March - more than five months ago.

"It's difficult to take on the gloves, especially keeping in mind that I haven't kept for what is it - six or seven months now.

"So, with that injury and a two-day turnaround after the day off yesterday (Monday), for me to get into shape with my gloves on, and considering my back, would be a little bit unfair.

"I'm still willing to take the gloves for the boys.

"I just have to come into a series prepared without any niggles," he said.

The problem with that theory, especially if De Villiers' back has "always been an issue", is that he went from February to October last year - almost eight months - without keeping wicket in a test.

What would De Kock's selection behind the stumps tomorrow mean, going forward?

"I'd still like to think that I'm a wicket-keeping batsman and whatever the team wants me to do, I'll do it," De Villiers said.

The pitch for tomorrow's game sported a thick thatch of brown grass yesterday, which ground staff said would not be cut.