Date Of Dale Steyn’s Comeback To International Cricket Remains Uncertain
May 16, 2017 at 6:59 PM
There is no set date or deadline for Dale Steyn’s return to cricket, as the South African Cricket Board is putting no pressure on the bowler for a comeback.
Dale Steyn, since being ruled out of international cricket in November, hasn’t played any form of cricket. He was set to appear for South Africa A in a quest to prove fitness for the Test series against England but pulled out later, as he needs some more time to recover.
The 33-year old pacer is eyeing Bangladesh series for a comeback. Before that, he is also contemplating to ink a county deal so as to get back in touch,
“Dale’s surgery was a resounding success and the bone has healed. The challenge is to get the shoulder stabilised and strengthened, and that’s why there is a bit of delay with getting him to the park again. What the medical committee has decided is that we are not going to set an artificial deadline or timeline as to when he is going to be playing. We will wait for when he is ready. We are hopeful he will be ready sometime during the home series,” Mohammed Moosajee, South Africa’s team manager said.
Steyn was to lead South Africa’s bowling line-up in Australia last year but he got injured during the second day of the first Test match in Perth and was later ruled out of the series. It was subsequently confirmed that he will be out of action for nearly six months.
He then went on to miss the series against New Zealand, IPL and now is also not the part of the ICC Champions Trophy.
South Africa is set to face England in three-match ODI series ahead of the Champions Trophy followed by three-match T20I series. A four-Test match series will mark an end to South Africa’s three-month-long stay in the country.
Morne Morkel is expected to lead the pace bowling line up in Sten’s absence with the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander in the team.