Steyn all but out of opening Test in Newlands
CAPE TOWN: Dale Steyn’s return to Test cricket is likely to be delayed as South Africa are still sweating on the full fitness of the former world’s No. 1 fast bowler. Steyn is all but ruled out from the first Test against India starting in Cape Town on January 5.
The 34-year-old Steyn was to resume his Test duties in the oneoff Test match against Zimbabwe in Port Elizabeth last week but he pulled out of the match with a viral infection. Steyn was subsequently named in the squad for the first Test against India at Newlands. The four-day Test against Zimbabwe would have been Steyn’s first in over a year due to a shoulder injury.
South African coach Ottis Gibson feels Steyn may not hold up for the Test so he may not play.
“He has had a year layoff. I don’t think if we were to pick a three-man seam attack plus a spinner that you would want to put him in that three-man attack in case something happens and that leaves the team vulnerable if he can’t finish the game,” said Gibson on Tuesday.
“That’s not to say that he won’t finish the game but you don’t want to take that risk in the first game of the summer. He will come into the discussion but it depends on the formation of the team that we put on the field,” said Gibson, adding that Steyn might get a game later in the series.
“It’s quite likely to be a horses for courses series where you’re looking at three different sets of conditions. Down here on the coast, the wicket tends to dry out quickly so you might play an extra bowler here. Further up into the Highveld, it might be different. We have to take each set of conditions as we find them now and then pick the best team for them. It’s a selection headache but it’s a good headache to have,” said Gibson, confirming that Faf du Plessis will lead the team.
The South Africa coach made no bones about getting exactly the pitch they had wanted. “There’s a nice covering of grass on it. It looks quite hard and firm. We’ll only know how it plays once the game starts,” he said.
“Sometimes bowlers can tend to get carried away. You still have to put the ball in the right area, and that’s something I’m sure the Indians will be talking about. Playing in our home conditions, it’s something we will be talking about over the next three days. No matter how the wicket looks, you’ve still got to play well. We’re playing against the best team so we have to bring our A game,” he said.
› I don’t think if we were to pick a threeman seam attack plus a spinner that you would want to put Steyn in. If he can’t finish the game, it will leave the team vulnerable. OTTIS GIBSON, South Africa coach