South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn, out with an injury since November last year, has been named in the ‘A’ squad that will play three four-day games during their upcoming tour of England.
The Proteas will play a four-match Test series against England, which starts on July 6 at Lord’s, while the ‘A’ squad will play games against Hampshire, Sussex and England Lions. The 33-year-old has however been left out of South Africa’s Champions Trophy squad.
(Read | ICC Champions Trophy: Morne Morkel, Keshav Maharaj named in South Africa’s squad)
“The shoulder rehabilitation has been good. It feels stronger every week,” Steyn had told Supersport before being named in the squad. “I want to play cricket for South Africa. I am nearly ready.”
Steyn had injured his right shoulder while bowling in the 1st Test at Perth, which South Africa won by 177 runs. He had joined the squad after a long injury layoff and has not played any forms of cricket since then. He is just five wickets away from surpassing Shaun Pollock as the country’s highest wicket-taker in Tests.
(Read | ICC Champions Trophy: Australia choose IPL stars Chris Lynn, Moises Henriques)
However, the three-match series can be an excellent platform for Steyn to prove his match-fitness and return to the national team. “The four-day series will give us an opportunity to see how some of the players who are on the fringes of the Test squad perform in England ahead of the four-test series,” Linda Zondi, the convener of selectors, was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. “We still have time to finalise the Test team so that series can give us some pointers before we finalise the Test squad.”
Source: HindustanTimes