Dale Steyn Ruled out of the Series Due to Injury

Poor Dale Steyn has not had the best of his time in the last 2 years. The South African Speedster has been jolted by injuries, the 2015 tour to India being the first. In the First Test of the Series against Australia, Steyn again suffered a shoulder injury which had ruled him out of the Test series.

Before injury, Steyn bowled with fluent pace on a WACA wicket that offered bounce and pace. Yesterday on Day 1 of the Test, Warner had hit him all over the park, today the opener was not at his comfort level and finally got in the 36th over of the innings. Steyn got South Africa a huge breakthrough, breaking the 158 run opening stand in which it seemed Australia was going to win this single-handily. The first wicket resulted in Australia’s collapse from 158/1 to 244/10 all out, leading just by 2 runs.

Steyn, after dismissing Warner, delivered the fourth ball of the over which fell down with his hand on the right shoulder. The South African manager said he heard some pop sound after delivering the ball. He was immediately rushed to hospital, the reports said that it was a fracture which could take upto 5-6 months for Steyn to recover. Steyn will only bat in this Test match if condition demands. Without him the Proteas made a commendable fightback whose chief was Dale Steyn himself.

Proteas’s spearhead has suffered from multiple injuries in the last 2 years. Against India in 2015, he suffered a groin injury in the first Test in Mohali. Then he missed two Tests and ODI Series against England due to a shoulder injury. He made a comeback in WT20 2016 in which he only played two of the 4 South African matches. He was officially on rest for CPL and then played Test match against New Zealand and the 5-match ODI Series against Australia. It was like a season of comebacks for him, however when he was starting to be in rhythm again, he injured his shoulder.

As far as Replacement is Concerned for the Test Series, Morne Morkel who is also coming back from an injury can replace him or they have another seamer ready in Kyle Abbott. Apart from these two Hardus Viljoen and Merchant De Lange are the other options.

South Africa and  the world wants to see Steyn bowl again. The man is just 5 wickets away from being the leading Wicket-Taker for South Africa in Tests.