PERTH: Dale Steyn’s international future is hanging in the balance after he was ruled out of the on-going Australian series with a recurrence of his “rare” shoulder injury on Friday.
It is a major blow to the Proteas’ chances in this series, but also personally to the “Phalaborwa Express” for the 33-year-old requires just five more wickets to move pass former national captain’s Shaun Pollock’s 421 scalps. It has not yet been determined how long his recovery period could last, but it could be six months.
Steyn moved closer to the record mark when he removed Australian opener David Warner for 97 early in the first session on the second day.
That was Steyn’s final contribution to the Proteas’ cause here in Australia because shortly afterwards he clutched his shoulder in pain after sending down a delivery to Usman Khawaja. Steyn left the field immediately to undergo a scan at a nearby hospital.
Proteas team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee explained: “Dale pulled up while bowling shortly before lunch complaining of severe pain to his right shoulder. He was taken to the hospital for preliminary scans which confirmed a new fracture of the bone in the shoulder joint.
“He will take no further part in the match (he will bat if absolutely necessary) and the series, and will return to South Africa to see a shoulder specialist who will advise on an appropriate plan of action. An injury of this nature is rare and will in all likelihood require surgery but that will only be confirmed once we receive an opinion from the specialist.
Even Steyn’s major adversary Warner sympathised with the great fast bowler.
“I am disappointed for Dale,” the Australian opener said of his rival. “All the amp and the talk. .. I know how pumped he would have been to play a big role. It is disappointing for him. I hope he can get back on the park and play the competitive cricket that we’ve seen him play.”
Steyn’s injury despairing news for the Proteas, who had fought back valiantly on the second day of this Test to restrict the Australians to 244 – a lead of only two runs. This was a particularly special effort considering the bowling attack was without Steyn’s services for the majority of the day.
South Africa’s batsmen then worked hard to build on this momentum in the final session to finish on 104/2. Dean Elgar was unbeaten on 46 and JP Duminy on 34.
The Proteas team management have yet to call on a replacement with two Tests still remaining, including their maiden pink-ball Test in Adelaide on November 24, after this ding-dong encounter here at the WACA.
Independent Media