Philander out of series, Steyn ’50-50′
South Africa will be without fast bowler Vernon Philander for the rest of the series against England as he will not recover from injury in time to feature, while Dale Steyn is likely to miss the third Test.
Steyn did not play in the second Test after picking up a shoulder strain in the first match in Durban. And while he said on Twitter on Wednesday that he was back in training, the Proteas may not risk him in Johannesburg.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Start bowling again today ???? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lekker?src=hash">#lekker</a></p>— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaleSteyn62/status/684267147514802176">January 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Meanwhile, Kyle Abbott, who missed the second Test with a hamstring niggle, has been declared fit, so it remains to be seen whether Chris Morris, who made his debut in Cape Town, will keep his place.
Dr Mohammad Moosajee, the Proteas team manager, said: "Vernon Philander is a no-go for the Test series. He is still very much in his rehab phase.
"Kyle Abbott has made a full recovery from his hamstring strain and he will be ready for the Johannesburg Test.
"Dale Steyn is pretty much 50-50. He has got another appointment with a shoulder specialist in Cape Town tomorrow for another opinion and will be reassessed when we regroup in Johannesburg on Monday."
Latest
-
NewsIndia recall Cheteshwar Pujara for rescheduled Test against England
The 34-year-old has scored four hundreds in eight innings for Sussex this season.
-
NewsKeith Barker blows away Somerset to help Hampshire to victory
The visitors needed just one run in their second innings to seal victory.
-
NewsCraig Overton claims 400th first-class wicket in Somerset-Hampshire clash
The England seamer’s three-wicket burst left the contest delicately balanced at the halfway stage.
-
NewsThree positive Covid tests confirmed in New Zealand’s tour party
Batter Henry Nicholls, seamer Blair Tickner and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen will self-isolate for five days.
-
NewsZak Crawley outdone by Ben Compton as Kent start strongly at Northamptonshire
Opener Compton stole the show with an unbeaten 125.
-
NewsMark Wood admits frustration over slow progress from elbow surgery
Wood is targeting a Test return towards the back end of the summer.
-
NewsMcCullum hopes ‘attractive brand of Test cricket’ can see red-ball game thrive
New head coach Brendon McCullum is looking to transform England’s fortunes.
-
NewsEffects of lockdown on bowlers may be playing part in spate of stress fractures
In the past week Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season with lower back injuries.
-
NewsBen Stokes to be subject of Amazon documentary created by Sam Mendes
The 30-year-old will open up on his World Cup and Headingley heroics as well as his off-the-field troubles.
-
NewsJofra Archer setback adds to England’s fast bowling injury crisis
Saqib Mahmood, Jofra Archer and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season this week.