Steyn slates ‘dodgy’ Wanderers facilities

The Proteas’ premier fast bowler, Dale Steyn, has labelled the Wanderers Stadium facilities as “dodgy”.

Steyn‚ 35, who is expected to make his first ODI appearance for the Proteas since October 2016 against Zimbabwe in Kimberley on Sunday, hit captain Faf du Plessis on the hand with a ball at a practice session on Thursday morning.

“These nets are just a bit dodgy to be honest‚” he said.

“The Bullring is a fantastic place to play cricket but their facilities are not the best.

“For a ground that holds the record for the best ODI that has ever been played‚ we are playing on some pretty poor conditions.

“Those nets weren’t great and I hope Faf is okay – I don’t think there is serious damage.”

Plessis‚ Hashim Amla‚ Quinton de Kock and David Miller have been left out of the squad to face Zimbabwe in the three-match ODI series as coach Ottis Gibson wants to have another look at Reeza Hendricks‚ Christiaan Jonker‚ Heinrich Klaasen‚ Khaya Zondo and Dean Elgar.

After a spell with Hampshire in England‚ Steyn returns to the ODI side after a long absence due largely to injuries that troubled him for the past few years and he is raring to go again in white ball cricket.

“Having played my last game two weeks ago for Hampshire‚ I feel like I am flying‚ but white ball cricket is different to red ball cricket.

“White ball cricket is going to be a challenge with the different skills and powerplays.”