Is time running out for Dale?
ONCE MORE South African cricket supporters will hold their collective breaths as Cricket South Africa await the prognosis on Dale Steyn’s latest injury concern.
Steyn, 35, left the field after four balls of his 11th over while playing for English County Hampshire on Monday. CSA confirmed yesterday that Steyn injured his groin. It’s understood Steyn had been feeling some discomfort, but felt he could play through the pain until he eventually went off. He went for scans yesterday with CSA awaiting results which should be known to them today.
Steyn had played both Tests in SA’s recent series against Sri Lanka before returning to the County circuit where he has represented Hampshire across all three formats since recovering from an ankle injury which he picked up in the first Test against India in January.
Steyn has played just 10 of SA’s last 37 Test matches.
After 88 Tests he is tied with Shaun Pollock on 421 for the most number of wickets taken by a SA bowler. The Proteas’ next Test match is against Pakistan starting on Boxing Day at Steyn’s home ground Centurion.
Steyn, who last played an ODI two years ago against Australia, is still desperate to stake a claim for a spot in the squad for next year’s World Cup. Time is running out for him on that front as the selectors seek to have their squad set by the time the new season rolls around and a long-term injury at this stage would place his chances of appearing in England and Wales next year in serious jeopardy.