South African speedster Dale Steyn has withdrawn from the Sunfoil Series which is scheduled to kick off on September 19 (Tuesday) after ruling himself out of the first-class contest, as the star bowler is recovering from his shoulder injury.
“I’ve decided not to play right now. I’m bowling fine but I haven’t hit the full workload,” Steyn was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo digital.
Following the declaration of right-arm fast bowler Steyn, the Faf du Plessis side has faced a massive blow which further would see the national side of the Proteas facing Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series on September 28 (Thursday).
“I’d need to handle four-day cricket or a Test so I decided it was best not to play,” Steyn added.
However, the premium bowler Steyn hinted it’s nice to start the proceedings with a shorter version of the game, in a bid to handle the pressure and maintain the endurance level while returning to the gentleman’s game following a prolonged gap.
“The longer stuff is too much right now, so we wait for possibly the white ball to come around. Some shorter cricket might be the better answer for a reintroduction,” Steyn maintained.
Earlier, the reports suggested senior campaigner Steyn could break into the Test squad for South Africa against Mushfiqur Rahim-led Tigers.
Pertinently, the 34-year-old Phalaborwa-born Steyn nursed shoulder injury in November 2016 when he was touring Australia.
“Playing the four-day game would have given me a chance for selection in the Tests but I don’t want to put myself or the team in a position where I pull up again,” Steyn admitted.
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The bilateral series against Bangladesh is further comprised of three One-day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals.
On the other side, the newly-appointed coach for South Africa and former England bowling coach Ottis Gibson is bound to get the first-hand experience while observing the players wrestling against each other before the bilateral series gets underway at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom.
In the domestic set-up, reluctant Steyn has been the part of Titans and was scheduled to play against Dolphins, in the first round of the fixture.
Steyn, who has been impressive with the ball across different formats at the international stage revealed his ordeal by stating he has endured a lot throughout his hard-fought career.
“It’s been a frustrating time, but I want to play for a few more years and I’m confident I will,” Steyn said.
Steyn, who becomes doubly dangerous, while being at his best has been marred by injuries from time-to-time.
Making his debut in 2004 against England at Port Elizabeth, Steyn has played 85 Test in which he bagged 417 wickets at an impressive bowling average of 22.30.
Equally up to the task, Steyn claimed 180 scalps in 50-over fixtures at an average of 26.92. He claimed 58 wickets in 42 T20Is at an average of 17.39.