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Tug of war over Dale Steyn

Cape Town - The Cape Cobras have confirmed that Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn will turn out for the franchise in the domestic One Day Cup playoffs.

Steyn had stayed behind after the Proteas returned home from their Test tour of Australia on Wednesday, in order to play for Australian outfit Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash T20 competition.

However, Cobras coach Paul Adams said Steyn would return to play for the Western Cape side, who had already booked their place in the One Day Cup playoffs.

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"It's simple. I want the best bowler in the world in my team for this key playoff game," Adams said.

The Cobras said they had not signed off a 'no-objection certificate' which would clear Steyn to play for Brisbane in their opening Big Bash match against Hobart Hurricanes on Sunday.

They said Cricket South Africa had apologised for the confusion.

"We are in a tough battle to keep domestic cricket alive and also to keep the Cobras brand at the top," said Cobras CEO Andre Odendaal.

"We don't want to be denying Dale income and opportunities, but the franchises are united on the issue that our national players should play in our competitions rather than in other countries when they can."

The outcome has left the Brisbane side upset, who claim they signed Steyn for a one-off fixture six weeks ago. They also insist they secured a 'no-objection certificate' from CSA.

"We conducted all of our negotiations with Dale and his management in good faith and fulfilled all requirements that the BBL needed in order to sign him as one of our international players,'' the Heat's general manager Andrew Blucher told the ESPNcricinfo website.

"We provided signed contracts, a NOC that was provided six weeks ago by Cricket South Africa and were completely up front in what we proposed.

 "We now find ourselves less than a week out from the opening game without a key element of our pre-game preparations and that is terribly disappointing for the team and our fans and members, who were eagerly anticipating seeing Dale play.

"Dale is also unhappy with this outcome. He was looking forward to the match, and of course has a very good relationship with our coach Darren Lehman."

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