Dale Steyn sharp in Newlands nets

Dale Steyn of South Africa during their afternoon session at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town on 17 January 2016 ©Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

Dale Steyn of South Africa during their afternoon session at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town on 17 January 2016 ©Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

Published Feb 17, 2016

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Cape Town - Dale Steyn is back. Well, sort of. The world’s best fast bowler, who has been hampered by injury for most of the season, bowled a few overs in the Newlands nets on Wednesday.

The Proteas spearhead last played competitive cricket during the Boxing Day Test against England in Durban, but after taking 4/70 in the first innings, he pulled up with a shoulder problem after sending down just 3.5 overs in the second, and hasn’t been in action since.

But he was included in South Africa’s ICC World T20 squad last week, and while he won’t feature against England in two T20 internationals this weekend, it is hoped that he will be ready for the three-match T20 series against Australia early next month.

The 32-year-old had a lengthy spell in the Newlands nets on Wednesday in stifling heat ahead of Friday’s first T20 against England. Steyn bowled off a few steps at first to Hashim Amla, but gradually moved his run-up marker further back and started getting some sharp pace and movement going to left-hander Rilee Rossouw.

“Dale will join us at practice today. He has started bowling already and will play a club game on the 27th (February), and we need him to be fit for the Australian series. That will be important for us,” coach Russell Domingo said before training on Wednesday.

Steyn will have to prove that he is 100 percent fit for the ICC World T20 by playing against Australia.

But in the meantime, 20-year-old wunderkind Kagiso Rabada will continue to lead the attack against England at Newlands on Friday and the Wanderers on Sunday, with support from Kyle Abbott, Chris Morris and David Wiese.

Rabada was exceptional once more in claiming 3/34 in nine overs in the ODI series decider against England at Newlands last Sunday.

Imran Tahir is the first-choice spinner, but Domingo said that he would be looking to give all 15 squad members game time before the World T20, so left-armer Aaron Phangiso is also likely to get an opportunity at some stage.

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