Publications
Partners
Cape Town - The very last thing we should do is curse Dale Steyn ... one of the indisputable greats of South African and global fast bowling, whatever happens to his now hugely uncertain career from here.
This gutsy competitor, so bedevilled by injuries in recent seasons after being a consistently sublime international servant for so long, gave it the most spirited, committed of cracks to be a fit, firing factor for South Africa at a swansong World Cup for him.
But at the same time Cricket South Africa's judgement, as well as that of the team management headed up by coach Ottis Gibson, warrants being called into deep question as it was confirmed - and many might argue without special surprise - on Tuesday that he will be unable to take any part (two costly games already down for the unsettled Proteas) in CWC 2019.
Even as captain Faf du Plessis gave a frank enough initial, on-field post mortem of the shock reverse to Bangladesh at The Oval on Sunday, his star paceman was reportedly trying with all his might, out in the middle and only minutes after the dust had settled on the contest, to get into some sort of rhythm for a stab at the formidable Indian stroke-players at the Rose Bowl this Wednesday - pretty much a must-win for South Africa.
But the body, even assisted by the best in modern medicine and physio care, can't always simply jump into optimal readiness mode ... and especially, perhaps, for an almost 36-year-old intended speed merchant just as hampered by the stark fact that he's had so little match-day bowling for several weeks.
The plan (an increasingly desperate one, it now seems) was to bundle him into combat with Virat Kohli and company.
It might have helped subdue the earlier, rightful enough scope for criticism over his non-participation in either of the England or Bangladesh losses, meaning the country effectively started this World Cup with only a 14-strong squad - and loitering question marks over the fitness of several others, into the unpalatable bargain.
That ship has smacked the rocks, and with some force when you consider the broadly back-foot start for the Steyn-less pace personnel who did manage to begin the tournament journey for the Proteas.
Somehow the situation with the Phalaborwa Express always smelled of peril (despite the official missive from the camp suggesting this was a "new" shoulder ailment, supposedly picked up in England itself) ... something that has now turned grim reality.
Already stung by Sunday's hamstring ailment to emerging young star Lungi Ngidi, which means he cannot tackle India - and may also be struggling for game five against West Indies at the same venue? - Steyn's hasty replacement, Lions left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks, is anticipated to arrive in a few days’ time.
It means options in that already under-the-cosh department are notably limited, more immediately.
But while he will hardly be complaining about his sudden ticket to the jamboree, Hendricks will also find it hard to ride to the rescue with any haste, in game-preparedness terms.
The bustling Capetonian-born competitor, turning 29 on Saturday, last played competitively in mid-April - so almost two months back - in the SA franchise Twenty20 competition.
He is also still a relative rookie to the Proteas’ ODI culture, considering that he sports two caps in the format (reminder: Steyn 125) although 10 appearances spread over some five years in T20 internationals.
But his talent, especially when he can operate at full tilt, is hardly in doubt: he will add a nice measure of variety to the all-right-arm SA pace resources and is renowned for his ability to generate prodigious swing in the right conditions.
Ironically, Hendricks has had to show plenty of health-related character himself in recent seasons, as he spent a prolonged period a few seasons ago wrestling the paceman's curse: back stress fracture issues.
They have been career-threatening at their worst, although he appears to have happily turned a corner on that score.
The last thing the Proteas would need at the remainder of this World Cup is any injury-related drama from their late infusion, too ...
*Follow our chief writer on Twitter: @RobHouwing
