Dale Steyn highly unlikely to play the fourth Test against Australia

The possibilities of South African speedster Dale Steyn playing the fourth and final Test against Australia in Johannesburg is uncertain, as he has gone unselected for his domestic team’s final four-day fixture of the season. Steyn had injured his heel in January in the first Test against India and was likely to make a comeback in the upcoming game.

As for the third Test, Steyn has already ruled himself out. Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith told cricket.com.au that the quick is looking forward to the fourth Test as his comeback game, but was not recovering as quickly as he would have liked to.

“I think Dale Steyn is still a little bit behind in his recovery,” Smith told cricket.com.au. “I spoke to him this morning actually. He says he’s bowling well but it’s taking him a bit of time to recover from spells, so I think he’s targeting that fourth Test to be available. Whether they pick him or not that’s another thing,” Smith added.

Needs to play competitive cricket to earn a Test recall

Proteas team manager Dr. Mohammad Moosajee, on the other hand, had said that even Steyn recovered, he would have to play some form of cricket before being recalled for a Test match. However, his non-selection for his domestic side goes against the criteria laid down by the team manager.

The fast bowler has played as many as 86 Tests for his national team and is only three wickets away from surpassing Shaun Pollock to become South Africa’s highest Test wicket-taker.

As for South Africa, their biggest plus point going into the last two Tests will be Kagiso Rabada, whose two-man match was overturned by the ICC after a proper hearing. With the kind of form that the young bowler is in, Australian batsmen may not find it easy to take a series lead in Cape Town. At present, the series is poised at 1-1.