Dale WILL be back…
GLIDING in on his silky run-up, beating the outside edge of the bat with his wicked away-swing… Dale Steyn was back in business at Newlands. His quest to overtake former captain Shaun Pollock as South Africa’s most prolific wicket-taker in Test cricket had resumed, after more than a year out.
Steyn’s battle to come back after suffering a serious shoulder injury while on tour in Australia had been won. Then disaster struck on Saturday. Having moved from 417 to 419 wickets – as opposed to Pollock’s 421 – Steyn was unable to complete his 19th over after landing badly and damaging his left heel.
Initial reports suggested the Proteas pace spearhead would be out of the game for up to six weeks – terrible news for the player, given his injury travails, as well as for his legions of fans.
Injuries are part and parcel of the lives of fast bowlers, given the stresses that these special performers place their bodies under as they strain to produce that unplayable delivery – a cocktail of disconcerting pace, bounce and sideways movement through the air and off the pitch, which will edge the battle of wits, acumen and composure in the favour of the fielding side.
Steyn has had his fair share of damage to his body in the course of his chosen profession, in an international career stretching from 2004 to the present. He has come back every time.
And although at 34 he is in the latter stages of his career, Steyn still seems to have something left in the tank.
Although he may not be back to face India again, another formidable opponent looms in the shape of Australia, who visit South Africa for four Tests starting on March 1 in Durban.
Steyn has played his best in Tests against the Aussies – in 15 matches he has collected 70 victims.
The fast bowler might have liked to set a new Test wickets record against India, the current top-ranked side. If that can’t happen, Australia is not a bad “second choice”.
Nostrils flaring, veins nearly popping, fist pumping manically at the claiming of another wicket.
We trust that Dale Steyn will be back. Gliding in on his silky run-up…