In the recently concluded Test series against England, the South Africans were simply no match for the latest England outfit led by Joe Root. It marked their first series loss in England in nearly 20 years, as the absence of some crucial names hit South Africa really hard. Among those names to miss out on the series, was probably the world’s greatest pacer of the last decade, Dale Steyn.
With injuries taking a colossal toll on Steyn in the last couple of years, South Africa have dearly missed the legendary pacer’s services. Things began looking downhill for Steyn during the side’s 2015 tour of India when an injury ruled him out.
He soon returned for the home Tests against England and just after taking a wicket, was out with another shoulder injury, which kept him out for several months. Later in 2016, in Down Under, that injury relapsed and since November fans are yet to see Steyn in action. As per the recent comments of skipper Faf du Plessis, it wouldn’t be all easy for Steyn to earn his spot back in the team.
“It’s all about his injury,” du Plessis said when asked about Steyn’s comeback to the international scene. “To come back and bowl 145-150km/h will make it a difficult task to play Test cricket again.”“But I’m hoping he does come back because in England having his experience would have been as valuable as having Morne Morkel and Vern there. “You don’t replace those guys. I’m hoping he’ll make a return for us, especially in the Test team, but he’s got a lot of work to do to get back.”
Steyn recently said that he was targeting the Bangladesh series as his comeback series.
“My recovery is going well but it is taking a little longer than I expected it to,” Steyn said. “I am able to do a lot of things, like running, hiking and gym work, but bowling is not one of them, and I won’t be ready in time (for the England tour). “Obviously, one of the reasons for me playing with the A side was so that I could get some match fitness before the Tests. So, before that Bangladesh series, I will need to play a bit.”