Johannesburg - It’s perfectly natural that Russell Domingo is loath to call time on Dale Steyn’s Test career, but the lengthy run of injuries that have prevented his participation in four of the last six matches means the end is approaching sooner than both would like.
In the other two matches Steyn has started in the last 10 weeks he’s not been able to play a full part in the second innings of either – against India in Mohali he picked up a groin strain and then in the opening Test of the current series against England came a shoulder problem. For the coaching staff, his teammates and Steyn himself, it’s a major dilemma – how do you trust someone, even a player as great as Steyn, when his recent injury record is so catastrophic?
Domingo, in announcing Steyn’s absence from the third Test starting at the Wanderers on Thursday, was reluctant to say Steyn’s career was over, or even that he wouldn’t play in the fourth Test next week. “I don’t think it’s the end of Dale Steyn’s career at all,” Domingo emphasised. “Players experience niggles at some stage of their career, he’s just had a few of them of late.”
The trouble is if Steyn was 22 and not his current age of 32, then there would be far greater optimism that his body might right itself. However he’s had an international career that has spanned 11 years, and 232 matches – not to mention all those IPL matches – performing one of the most physically difficult tasks in any sport – bowling fast. Eventually the body, even one as fit as Steyn’s, breaks down. The concern is exacerbated by all the mystery surrounding the current injury to his right shoulder. Steyn was undergoing scans in Cape Town yesterday and when Domingo spoke at lunch-time the medical staff had still not ascertained exactly what was wrong.
With the series so dangerously poised for South Africa, it’s the last thing Domingo, the selectors or the newly installed Test captain would have wanted.
In the long-term it’s another grave concern to add to all the other worries surrounding South African cricket at the moment, and for administrators and coaches to get to grips with soon.
In the short-term, South Africa have to find a way to tie up the series at the ‘Bullring’ and doing so without their premier fast bowler is a significant challenge. Domingo seemed relaxed about the change in captaincy, which would be a problem for most teams, but which South Africa’s players apparently are quite comfortable accommodating. “The rhythm wasn’t great in the five Tests before Cape Town. Sometimes change is good, it might be the change that triggers something,” remarked the coach.
It’s no secret AB De Villiers has long desired the Test captaincy, and the hope is, that as has been the case in one-day cricket, leadership proves inspirational and brings out the best in him. “AB is different; he’s more spontaneous, goes with his gut, while Hashim (Amla) might be more methodical and thoughtful. AB does plan a lot but he also does things instinctively.”
That may be enough to keep the players on their toes and engaged in the battle, but before that there is the make up of the starting XI to consider. The Wanderers offers that enticing option of playing an all-seam attack, something South Africans are open to, even with Steyn no longer a consideration.
“The player coming in will be ecstatic, he’ll be in a great frame of mind. It’s an opportunity for someone to make their mark,” said Domingo.
There isn’t a fast bowler worth his salt that wouldn’t want to bowl at the Wanderers. Just this season Hardus Viljoen has picked up 20 wickets there in two matches – performances that earned him a call-up to the national team.
He is one of the options available to the selectors and proved Domingo’s words true by having De Villiers hopping around during the Proteas net session yesterday afternoon.
With Chris Morris likely to hold on to his place, alongside Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel it could come down to a straight fight between Viljoen and Kyle Abbott, who proved he was over the hamstring injury that kept him out of the Cape Town Test with an impressive stint yesterday.
“I’m one of those coaches that likes to have a spinner (in the starting team). However it’s not unheard of to go into a Wanderers Test without a spinner, it’s often been done.” - Cape Times