South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the remainder of test series against India due to a freakish ankle injury. Steyn”s superb day with the ball, unfortunately, ended bitterly as he awkwardly landed in one of the footholes sustaining severe damage to his ankle. He is likely to be out for 4-6 weeks and miss the limited-over series against India as well.
Steyn bowled impeccable lines and lengths at devastating pace and got rid of Dhawan and Saha. He left his over midway and didn”t bowl after that. His figures were 17.3-6-51-2.
Dr.Mohammad Moosajee, South Africa”s team manager said after day two, “During Dale”s 18th over, he landed awkwardly in the footholds, causing significant strain in the foot, leading to tissue damage on the underside of the foot in the heel area,” South Africa team manager Doctor Mohammad Moosajee, who is also a medical doctor, said after the end of day two.
Dr. Moosajee further added, “He is unlikely to bowl in this Test match because the recovery period could be anything from four to six weeks.”
The 34-year-old hasn”t enjoyed his time in international cricket for last 2 years. Steyn has suffered 4 significant in last six tests he has played for SA. A groin injury in the 1st test cut short his India tour in November 2015.
It is learned that Steyn is unlikely to bat or bowl in the second innings of the test match. South Africa have Rabada, Philander and Morkel to share the workload in absence of Steyn. Dr. Moosajee further added “At the moment it”s quite tender and extremely uncomfortable to run. Obviously with some anti-inflammatories and rest overnight, who knows how he might turn up tomorrow. But at this stage, he”s unlikely to be able to run and we would probably like him to be non-weight-bearing,”
Official Update: Dale Steyn has a bruised left heel and has been taken for scans for further investigations. CSA will give an update when available. #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/z1GBiPHtAe
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) January 6, 2018
In the very next series against England, he suffered a shoulder strain. His biggest injury came in Perth when he fractured his shoulder in November 2016 which took him 13 months of rehab. And now another injury in his comeback test!
VIDEO: @KagisoRabada25 is feeling very sympathetic towards @DaleSteyn62 after his injury.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/VBXGhaMBEi
— SA Cricket magazine (@SACricketmag) January 6, 2018
South Africa play 4 tests against Australia in March and Steyn will be eyeing that series for a comeback.
– by Atharva Apte
