SA vs IND 2018: Dale Steyn uncertain for Cape Town Test

The first Test starts from January 5.

Steyn is still nursing his shoulder injury. (AFP)

Ottis Gibson, Head Coach of South Africa has hinted at Dale Steyn possibly missing the first Test in Cape Town. Gibson said fielding Steyn in the first Test was a risk they are not willing to take right now.

“He has had a year’s layoff. I don’t think if we were to pick a three-man seam attack plus a spinner you would want to put him in that attack in case something happens and that leaves the team vulnerable if he can’t finish the game,” Gibson told a press conference on Tuesday.

“That’s not to say he won’t finish the game but you don’t want to take that risk in the first game of the summer. He will come into the discussion but it depends on the formation of the team we put on the field,” said Gibson, adding that Steyn might get a game later in the series.

Steyn has not played a Test since he suffered a shoulder fracture during the Perth game against Australia in November 2016.

Gibson also confirmed on Faf du Plessis leading the side in the Test series. “We’ve to take each set of conditions as we find them now and then pick the best team for them. It’s a selection headache but it’s a good headache to have, to have all the best players in the country fit and available to play" Gibson said on the team formation for the first Test.

“With some grass on the wicket, sometimes bowlers can get carried away. You still have to put the ball in the right area, and that’s something I’m sure the Indians will be talking about. Playing in our home conditions, it’s something we will be talking about over the next three days as well, to make sure we get it right on the day. No matter how the wicket looks, you’ve still got to play well. We’re playing against the best team in the world, so we have to bring our A game" highlighted Gibson on the pitch and the conditions. 

 

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 03 Jan, 2018

    Share Via