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Steyn’s SA ‘A’ absence a concern

Cape Town - Concerns over Dale Steyn's recovery and comeback to international cricket are still very much alive after the Proteas fast bowler was absent from the South Africa 'A' squad for their upcoming home series against Australia 'A'.

Steyn, who turned 34 on Tuesday, has been injured since November last year after sustaining a shoulder injury in Perth during the Australian Test series, which required surgery.

He sat out of this year's edition of the Indian Premier League to focus on regaining his fitness for the bumper South African cricket season ahead.

Steyn was due to make his comeback for SA 'A' for their four-day match against the England Lions in June.

However, he withdrew altogether from the SA 'A' tour and the Proteas Test series against England in order to concentrate on regaining full fitness for the home series against Bangladesh in September.

Prior to pulling out of the SA 'A' tour to England, Steyn said at the Cricket South Africa Awards in May that he needed some match practice before playing international cricket.

"Obviously, one of the reasons for me playing with the 'A' side was so that I could get some match fitness before the Tests. So, before that Bangladesh series, I will need to play a bit," said Steyn.

It looked as if Steyn could've made his welcome return to the game following his "Not long now" Instagram post he published earlier this month.

However, he was noticeably absent from the SA 'A' squad to play against Australia 'A' in July and the one-day squad to play the triangular against Australia 'A' and India 'A' in July-August.

Steyn could still be selected in the 'A' squad for the two four-day matches against India 'A' in August.

He still needs four Test wickets to reach 421 and tie Shaun Pollock as the leading South African wicket-taker in Tests.

The first of two Test matches against Bangladesh gets underway on September 28 at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom.

Not long now ??

A post shared by ?? (@dalesteyn) on

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