South Africa limited-overs skipper AB De Villiers will miss next month’s home series against Australia because of a fractured finger. It is expected to be out of action for four to six weeks.

27-year-old De Villiers, who is representing Royal Challengers Bangalore in Champions League Twenty20 in India, broke his left middle finger during practice session for second match against Kolkata Knight Riders at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Tuesday and will undergo surgery on Friday (today).

De Villiers fractured hand bone: Team manager

“The hand specialist found that AB (de Villiers) fractured the hand bone (metacarpal) of his middle finger,” Dr Mohammed Moosajee, the Proteas team manager told reporters on Thursday.

“He advised that immediate surgery be done to fixate the fracture and to allow the rehabilitation process to begin as soon as possible,” he added.

Australia series was de Villiers first assignment as skipper

The Australia series was de Villiers’ first assignment since he was appointed the successor of Graeme Smith in June alongside his deputy Hashim Amla.

Meanwhile expectedly Amla will take over the reins against Oz, which is Proteas first series after the early exit in World Cup 2011.

The two-match Twenty20 series between both sides will get underway on Oct 13 which will be followed by three ODI international and two Test matches.